| One of the major technological developments stemming from Web 2.0 is the phenomenon of online social networks. For many participants within the United States, social networks provide an online community where mingling and self-expression are possible. Among the tens of millions of active online social networking participants, existing or recently graduated college students are the most frequent users of online social networks. Despite the many advantages that may be derived from active participation in online social communities, numerous security and privacy concerns seem to overshadow benefits. Due to deficiencies of privacy and security awareness training surrounding the types and quality of information being disclosed within online social networks by undergraduate students, undergraduates are susceptible to social phishing, identity theft, cyberaggression, and erosion of personal privacy through unauthorized access of their personally identifiable information (PII). The purpose of this quantitative, correlational research study was to determine what relationships existed between undergraduate attitudes on information security, and information disclosure practices surrounding the protection of PII within Facebook. Furthermore, this study examined the effects that privacy and security awareness training had upon user beliefs and attitudes that could transform user behavior towards enhanced protection of personally identifiable information within online social networks. |
