Ari Kusyanti, Nurudin Santoso, Popong Effendrik, Harin Puspa Ayu Catherina, Anggi Dewi Eka Pertiwi
A Uniform Research Locator (URL) is a set of characters, such as numbers, symbols, and letters, based on a standard format for addressing sources such as files and documents on the Internet. The URL shortening service replaces old version one with shorter URL up to 30 characters. Utilizing this URL shortening gives numerous points of interest, in which this shortened URL is exceptionally simple and easy to use. Despite all the benefit of using shortened URL, there are risk hidden behind it. Malicious attacker may use this shortened URL to manipulate users through phishing attack in which attackers rename URL containing malware to shortened URL names that attract the victim's attention. This study aims to analyze which factors influence users in clicking shortened URL based on six variables. It explored how the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and web security construct model were implemented to determine the factors driving users to click shortened URL. Data were collected from 253 shortened URL users using an online-based survey. The data analysis used Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results showed that the factors that influence user's intention to click shortened URL are Trust, Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Risk, and Perceived Security. Based on the result, users are aware the risk that may occur and threatened their security, despite the benefit, hence they are hesitant to click arbitrary shortened URL as it may a fraudulent one. As a result, this study help raising awareness towards arbitrary shortened URL clicking that possess risk and harm the users. © 2023 ACM.
Department of Informatics Engineering, Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia; Department of Electrical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Malang, Indonesia