The Impact of Competition Intensity on Software Security: An Empirical Analysis of Web Browser Patch Releases

Arrah-Marie Jo ()
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Arrah-Marie Jo: MARSOUIN - Môle Armoricain de Recherche sur la SOciété de l'information et des usages d'INternet - UR - Université de Rennes - UBS - Université de Bretagne Sud - ENSAI - Ecole Nationale de la Statistique et de l'Analyse de l'Information [Bruz] - Groupe ENSAE-ENSAI - Groupe des Écoles Nationales d'Économie et Statistique - UBO EPE - Université de Brest - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris] - UR2 - Université de Rennes 2 - UBL - Université Bretagne Loire - IMT Atlantique - IMT Atlantique - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris], IMT Atlantique - SRCD - Département Systèmes Réseaux, Cybersécurité et Droit du numérique - IMT Atlantique - IMT Atlantique - IMT - Institut Mines-Télécom [Paris]

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Abstract: Abstract This paper investigates the relationship between competition intensity and the security level provided by software vendors, in particular when the software is free of charge to users. We examine the case of web browsers, a key component of internet security where vendors compete on quality and generate revenue through advertising. Using a pooled cross-sectional dataset on web browser security patch releases from 2009 to 2018, we analyze how competition affects the promptness of these releases. Our findings reveal that higher market concentration can enhance a vendor's responsiveness in addressing vulnerabilities, though this positive effect weakens when a vendor becomes excessively dominant.

Date: 2024-12-17
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Published in Review of Network Economics, 2024, 23 (4), pp.161-198. ⟨10.1515/rne-2024-0045⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05537933

DOI: 10.1515/rne-2024-0045

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