Assessing Ransomware Victimization Among Freelancers and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Using the Lifestyle-Routine Activity Approach
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study examined the association between components of the lifestyle-routine activity approach and the odds of ransomware victimization using survey data collected among freelancers and small and medium-sized enterprises in the Netherlands (n = 2,685). Some findings aligned with the notion that greater target attractiveness and lower physical guardianship are associated with increased odds of victimization. Namely, a higher annual turnover and not using two-factor authentication were associated with increased odds of ransomware victimization. At the same time, other results diverged from theoretical expectations. For example, not using an online bank account to which customers can transfer payments, not using security software that scans for viruses and malware, and having cyber insurance were associated with decreased odds of ransomware victimization. This contradicts the notion that greater online exposure, lower physical guardianship, and greater target attractiveness are associated with increased odds of victimization. Moreover, several measures related to the lifestyle-routine activity approach, such as social guardianship, were not statistically significant. Overall, the findings suggest that ransomware victimization can be partially explained by exposure to motivated offenders, target attractiveness, and guardianship. The implications of the findings for theory and practice are addressed in the paper.
Source: Victims & Offenders
Language: English
Subfield: Law
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7160617578