Who is on the System? Legitimate Users and their Influence on System Trespassers Repeat System trespassing Events against Computer System.

• In Event: The Effect of Computing Environments and Network Configurations on Hackers’ Illegitimate Online Behaviors During the Progression of System Trespassing Events

Abstract

System trespassing, or unlawfully gaining access to a computer system, is a growing concern worldwide. Viewing system trespassing through a criminological lens, this study analyzes the effect of the presence of other users on the system on the trespassing incident. Drawing on principles of Situational Crime Prevention (SCP), Routine Activities Theory (RAT), and restrictive deterrence, this research examines the potential restrictive deterrent effects of natural and place manager surveillance. Data were collected from a randomized control trial of target computers deployed on the network of a large U.S. university. Using ANOVA and pairwise means comparisons, this study examines whether the number and type (administrative or non-administrative) of users present on a system reduces the number of times a system trespasser returns to the system and the average duration of the system trespassing events. Results indicate that the type of user (administrative) produced a restrictive deterrent effect by significantly reducing the number of times a trespasser returned to the system.

Authors

• Lizabeth Remrey, University of Maryland

• David Maimon, University of Maryland

• Michel Cukier, University of Maryland

• Bertrand Sobestobso, University of Maryland