Risk Taking Behaviors Using Public Wi-Fi™

Dramatic increases in public Wi-Fi™ (hereafter referred to as Wi-Fi) availability have occurred over the last decade. Although Wi-Fi provides convenient network connectivity, it has significant security vulnerabilities. Despite widespread knowledge of potential vulnerabilities of public Wi-Fi, most people simply connect to it in public places. We investigated the individual calculus behind risk-taking behavior based on the theoretical foundations of risk taking behavior, technology threat avoidance theory, prospect theory, and self-determination theory. Using survey data collected from 1313 respondents in the United States, this study found that avoidance motivation, risk averting propensity, and intrinsic and extrinsic motivations affect intention to use public Wi-Fi. In addition, our results indicate that avoidance motivation is related to safeguard effectiveness, safeguard cost, and perceived threat, while risk averting propensity is associated with positive outcome history, age, gender, and education attainment.