A conceptual framework for curbing the epidemic of information malice: e-hygiene model with a human-factor approach

To address tsunami-scale damage, socially and economically, caused by information malice to the global Internet community, the authors propose an e-hygiene model augmented by human-factors as an effective means to curb the epidemics. The model, constructed upon the survey on e-hygiene habits of college students, demonstrates that: Human Factor (HF) is the major vulnerability of the information security; and Awareness, Capitals and Abilities form the three dimensions of the HF that information users must act to minimise the risks of information malice. Only when anti-malicious technology is coupled with good user e-hygiene can information malice be reduced.