{"id":37,"date":"2026-04-25T16:07:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T21:07:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/student.wp.odu.edu\/jwozn002\/?page_id=37"},"modified":"2026-04-25T16:09:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T21:09:40","slug":"article-reviews","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/student.wp.odu.edu\/jwozn002\/cyse-201s\/article-reviews\/","title":{"rendered":"Article Reviews"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Article Review #1: How Online Habits Can Lead to Malware<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Name: Jan Wozniak<\/p>\n\n\n\n

School of Cybersecurity, Old Dominion University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CYSE 201S: Cybersecurity and the Social Sciences<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instructor Name: Diwakar Yalpi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date: 24 February 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction\/BLUF<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bossler and Holt (2009) examined why some individuals are more prone to malware than others. They targeted college students and examined what students engaged in online and what precautionary measures they employed. The key principle is that malware is not an accident. The authors argued that daily online behaviors can increase the risk of being infected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relation\/Connection to Social Science Principles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Human behavior is studied in social science, this topic falls under its domain. The authors applied the Routine Activities Theory (RAT), a social science theory. According to this theory, crime occurs when three elements converge: a target, a motivated offender, and a lack of protection. The study traced how people\u2019s online choices can turn them into easy targets. It also demonstrates how we measure human behavior and test ideas with data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Question \/Hypothesis\/ Independent Variable\/Dependent Variable<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Question \u2014 Do online activities and security practices influence the risk of data loss due to malware? The authors assumed that risky online behavior and \u201ccomputer deviance\u201d increased the likelihood of malware issues. They also assumed that \u201cguardianship\u201d (such as increased security tools or safer habits) will reduce the risk. The sets of independent variables included types of different online activities, computer deviance, and guardianship behaviors, in addition to some simple background factors. The dependent variable was whether someone reported losing data due to malware in the last 12 months (Bossler & Holt, 2009).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Research Methods Used<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The method used was a survey done by the authors. They asked college students questions about what they do online, what safety precautions they use, and whether they had malware that resulted in data loss. This is a quantitative study because it has numbers and compares groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Data Analysis Used<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data was derived from the survey responses. Due to the dependent variable being essentially a yes or no, the authors used logistic regression. This kind of analysis helps to illustrate which factors are associated with higher or lower odds of being a victim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connections to Other Course Concepts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article relates to class concepts such as parsimony, because it uses one simple theory (Routine Activities Theory) to explain malware victimization instead of many complicated explanations. Its focus is on a few key factors only to predict who is more likely to get infected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connections to the Concerns or Contributions of Marginalized Groups<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sample group may be limited to college students, but this issue still ties into inequality. Less wealthy, less trained, or less well-resourced people may have lower protections in place. They might also have fewer options for when and how they use the internet. These characteristics can render some groups more susceptible to cyber harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall Societal Contributions of the Study\/Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bossler and Holt (2009) demonstrated a relationship between malware victimization and online behaviors. This article is useful in the sense that it tries to explain cyber victimization by using a social science theory instead of simply providing a technical organization. The study also supported real-world prevention, such as safer online practices and improved awareness. Overall, it showed that cybersecurity is not only about software, but also about people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reference<\/strong>Bossler, A. M., & Holt, T. J. (2009). On-line activities, guardianship, and malware infection: An examination of routine activities theory. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 3(1), 400-420.\u00a0https:\/\/www.cybercrimejournal.com\/pdf\/bosslerholtijcc2009.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Article Review #2: Exploring the Psychological Profile of Cybercriminals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student Name: Jan Wozniak<\/p>\n\n\n\n

School of Cybersecurity, Old Dominion University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CYSE 201S: Cybersecurity and the Social Sciences<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instructor Name: Diwakar Yalpi<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Date: 15 April 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction\/BLUF<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trinh et al. examined cybercrime as it relates to the psychological makeup of cybercriminals. Another point the article makes clear is that cybercrime goes beyond just a technical problem, it is also a human one. The idea in the article is that we could prevent cybercrime by understanding what makes the criminal commit them. Researchers have found many cybercriminals possess shared traits such as having low levels of empathy, being prone to impulsive behavior, and having strong computer skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relation\/Connection to Social Science Principles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This topic is related to social science since it studies human behavior. Social science helps understand individual behavior and consequences, including crime. This article demonstrates that cybercrime results from people\u2019s choices and not only computers. It also draws concepts from criminology and psychology, like why people commit crimes or how society tries to prevent them. The article discusses routine activity theory and deterrence, and social science is filled with the applications of such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research Question \/Hypothesis\/ Independent Variable\/Dependent Variable<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The primary research question is: what personality traits and behaviors are common in cybercriminals, and how can this help prevent cybercrime? Since this is a review paper, it does not test one specific hypothesis like how a survey study would. However, it assumes that certain traits, such as impulsiveness or low empathy make some people more likely to commit cybercrime. The independent variables include personality traits and behaviors. Cybercriminal activity, including hacking, fraud or data theft is the dependent variable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Research Methods Used<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authors conducted a systematic review, which means they did not conduct their own experiment. Instead, they reviewed the results of many other research studies and combined them. They combed through databases and selected studies that adhered to specific rules. They began with around 1,200 studies and winnowed that down to a core of 55 strong ones. This means that it is only a secondary research study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Data Analysis Used<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The data were drawn from previously published research conducted between 2010 and 2023. The authors searched academic databases for studies, and they used a systematic approach to select which studies to include. The analysis was largely qualitative, so they scanned for patterns and common themes rather than running one big test and then systematically organizing and cross comparing the data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connections to Other Course Concepts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article relates to concepts we have in class because this article illustrates that cybersecurity is more than just technology. It is also about people and behavior. It connects to theories like deviance, which is when people violate norms, and social control where society tries to prevent crime. It also reveals how governments and companies react to cybercrime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Connections to the Concerns or Contributions of Marginalized Groups<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cybercrime is affecting some groups more than others. People with less money or less knowledge about technology may be easier targets, as they might not afford technical security or even know to protect themselves. Cyber-attacks can also be more difficult for small businesses and low-income individuals to recover from. This shows how cybercrime can increase inequality and target those more vulnerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall Societal Contributions of the Study\/Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This study serves the society by demonstrating a direct dive into the understanding of people may bring an end to cyber-crime.  It also explains that technology on its own will not suffice. People need better education; more robust laws that hold people accountable, and an improved understanding of human behavior. This article blends psychology, criminology and cybersecurity concepts. Overall, it shows that fighting cybercrime takes both technical solutions and a sense of how people think and act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reference<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trinh, D. T., Dinh, T. C. M., & Tran, T. N. K. (2025). Exploring the psychological profile of cybercriminals: A comprehensive review for improved cybercrime prevention. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 19(1), 114\u2013137. https:\/\/cybercrimejournal.com\/menuscript\/index.php\/cybercrimejournal\/article\/view\/452\/133<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Article Review #1: How Online Habits Can Lead to Malware Student Name: Jan Wozniak School of Cybersecurity, Old Dominion University CYSE 201S: Cybersecurity and the Social Sciences Instructor Name: Diwakar Yalpi Date: 24 February 2026 Introduction\/BLUF Bossler and Holt (2009)… Continue Reading →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31980,"featured_media":0,"parent":31,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/student.wp.odu.edu\/jwozn002\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/student.wp.odu.edu\/jwozn002\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/student.wp.odu.edu\/jwozn002\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/student.wp.odu.edu\/jwozn002\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31980"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/student.wp.odu.edu\/jwozn002\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/student.wp.odu.edu\/jwozn002\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38,"href":"https:\/\/student.wp.odu.edu\/jwozn002\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37\/revisions\/38"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/student.wp.odu.edu\/jwozn002\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/student.wp.odu.edu\/jwozn002\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}