Influencing mental models of security

• DOI: 10.1145/2073276.2073283
• Publication Date: 2011-12-05T12:50:15Z
• Authors: Rick Wash; Emilee Rader
• Keywords: Logical security; Security through obscurity; Computer users

Over 80 million households in the United States have a home computer and an Internet connection. The vast majority of these are administered by people who little security knowledge or training, many users try to avoid making decisions because they feel don't skills maintain proper security. Nevertheless, still make security-related on regular basis -- for example, whether not click shady link email message without even knowing that's what doing. Their guided how think about security, their "mental models," which do be technically correct lead desirable behaviors [44]. In other words, sometimes "wrong" mental models produce good decisions. By eliminating constraint that nontechnical must become more like experts properly protect themselves, we believe can create effective ways helping To end, propose research agenda will help us learn shape non-technical users.