Economics of Malware: Security Decisions, Incentives, and Externalities

Citation
OECD, Economics of Malware: Security Decisions, Incentives, and Externalities (OECD STI Working Paper 2008/1 JT03246705) (2008) (full-text).

Overview
This working paper reports on qualitative empirical research into the incentives of market players when dealing with malware. The results indicate a number of market-based incentives mechanisms that contribute to enhanced security, but also other instances in which decentralized actions may lead to sub-optimal outcomes, i.e., where significant externalities emerge.