Anxiety about internet hacking: Results from a community sample

Electronic data breaches and internet “hacking” are common threats to individuals' security, frequently reported in news media. Our aim was to determine the anxiety and stress associated with possible internet hacking. We utilized an online survey, sampling 304 adult participants. We assessed resting anxiety - that is, “worry, anxiety, or stress” reported at the beginning of the survey. We also assessed anxiety related to possible data breaches. Internet hacking (or “Data breach”) anxiety was rated with somewhat greater severity than resting anxiety. Higher resting anxiety was not related to data breach-related anxiety, indicating that data breach anxiety is specific. Demographic characteristics and secure online practices were not associated with internet hacking anxiety. Anxiety related to data breaches is important to study. However, behaviors intended to protect internet security are rare; education and intervention is needed to reduce anxiety and increase internet security.