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Article
Assessing the Macro-level Correlates of Malware Infections Using a Routine Activities Framework
International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology
  • Thomas Holt, Michigan State University
  • George Burruss, University of South Florida
  • Adam Bossler, Georgia Southern University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2016
DOI
10.1177/0306624X16679162
Abstract

The ability to gain unauthorized access to computer systems to engage in espionage and data theft poses a massive threat to individuals worldwide. There has been minimal focus, however, on the role of malicious software, or malware, which can automate this process. This study examined the macro-correlates of malware infection at the national level by using an open repository of known malware infections and utilizing a routine activities framework. Negative inflated binomial models for counts indicated that nations with greater technological infrastructure, more political freedoms, and with less organized crime financial impact were more likely to report malware infections. The number of Computer Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) in a nation was not significantly related with reported malware infection. The implications of the study for the understanding of malware infection, routine activity theory, and target-hardening strategies are discussed.

Comments

Thomas J. Holt, George W. Burruss, and Adam M. Bossler,Assessing the Macro-Level Correlates of Malware Infections Using a Routine Activities Framework, International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology (62, 6) pp. 1720-1741. Copyright © [2016] (SageJournal). 10.1177/0306624X16679162.

Copyright

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Citation Information
Thomas Holt, George Burruss and Adam Bossler. "Assessing the Macro-level Correlates of Malware Infections Using a Routine Activities Framework" Thousand Oaks, CAInternational Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Vol. 62 Iss. 6 (2016) p. 1720 - 1741
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/adam-bossler/82/