Skip to main content
USENIX
  • Conferences
  • Students
Sign in
  • Overview
  • Proceedings
  • Past Symposia

twitter

Tweets by @usenix

usenix conference policies

  • Event Code of Conduct
  • Conference Network Policy
  • Statement on Environmental Responsibility Policy

You are here

Home ยป Leading Johnny to Water: Designing for Usability and Trust
Tweet

connect with us

Leading Johnny to Water: Designing for Usability and Trust

Authors: 

Erinn Atwater, Cecylia Bocovich, Urs Hengartner, Ed Lank, and Ian Goldberg, University of Waterloo

Abstract: 

Although the means and the motivation for securing private messages and emails with strong end-to-end encryption exist, we have yet to see the widespread adoption of existing implementations. Previous studies have suggested that this is due to the lack of usability and understanding of existing systems such as PGP. A recent study by Ruoti et al. suggested that transparent, standalone encryption software that shows ciphertext and allows users to manually participate in the encryption process is more trustworthy than integrated, opaque software and just as usable.

In this work, we critically examine this suggestion by revisiting their study, deliberately investigating the e ffect of integration and transparency on users' trust. We also implement systems that adhere to the OpenPGP standard and use end-to-end encryption without reliance on third-party key escrow servers.

We fi nd that while approximately a third of users do in fact trust standalone encryption applications more than browser extensions that integrate into their webmail client, it is not due to being able to see and interact with ciphertext. Rather, we fi nd that users hold a belief that desktop applications are less likely to transmit their personal messages back to the developer of the software. We also find that despite this trust di fference, users still overwhelmingly prefer integrated encryption software, due to the enhanced user experience it provides. Finally, we provide a set of design principles to guide the development of future consumer-friendly end-to-end encryption tools.

Erinn Atwater, University of Waterloo

Cecylia Bocovich, University of Waterloo

Urs Hengartner, University of Waterloo

Ed Lank, University of Waterloo

Ian Goldberg, University of Waterloo

Open Access Media

USENIX is committed to Open Access to the research presented at our events. Papers and proceedings are freely available to everyone once the event begins. Any video, audio, and/or slides that are posted after the event are also free and open to everyone. Support USENIX and our commitment to Open Access.

Atwater PDF
  • Log in or    Register to post comments

© USENIX

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us