How Does the Internet Impact the Public’s Perception of Information Security Risk?

Clarifying the relationship between internet use and public information security risk perception helps us gain a better understanding of the factors influencing public risk perception. However, the relationship is still under-explored. This paper empirically examines the relationship between internet use and information security risk perception based on data from the 2021 Chinese Social Survey. It was found that whether to use the internet and the frequency of use are both significantly positively correlated with the perception of information security risk. On this basis, the mechanism by which internet use affects public information security risk perceptions is verified from the perspective of interpersonal trust. The mechanism analysis found that interpersonal trust exerts an indirect effect between internet use and perceived information security risk. The findings of this study provide new insights for our further understanding of how internet use affects residents’ perceptions of security risk.