Skip to main content
USENIX
  • Conferences
  • Students
Sign in
  • Home
  • Attend
    • Registration Information
    • Registration Discounts
    • Venue, Hotel, and Travel
    • Students and Grants
  • Program
    • At a Glance
    • Symposium Program
    • 2nd Workshop on Security Information Workers
    • Who Are You?! Adventures in Authentication
    • Workshop on Privacy Indicators
    • Workshop on Security Fatigue
    • Workshop on the Future of Privacy Notices and Indicators: Will Drones Deliver My Privacy Policy?
  • Activities
    • Poster Session
    • Birds-of-a-Feather Sessions
  • Sponsorship
  • Participate
    • Instructions for Authors and Speakers
    • Call for Nominations
    • Call for Papers
    • Call for Posters and Proposals
      • Call for Papers: 2nd Workshop on Security Information Workers
      • Call for Papers: Who are you?! Adventures in Authentication
      • Call for Papers: Workshop on Privacy Indicators
      • Call for Papers: Workshop on Security Fatigue
      • Workshop: Will Drones Deliver My Privacy Policy?
  • About
    • Organizers
    • Past Symposia

sponsors

Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Industry Partner
  • Home
  • Attend
  • Program
  • Activities
  • Sponsorship
  • Participate
  • About

connect with us


  •  Twitter
  •  Facebook
  •  LinkedIn
  •  Google+
  •  YouTube

twitter

Tweets by @usenix

usenix conference policies

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

You are here

Home ยป Why Do They Do What They Do?: A Study of What Motivates Users to (Not) Follow Computer Security Advice
Tweet

connect with us

Why Do They Do What They Do?: A Study of What Motivates Users to (Not) Follow Computer Security Advice

Authors: 

Michael Fagan and Mohammad Maifi Hasan Khan, University of Connecticut

Abstract: 

Usable security researchers have long been interested in what users do to keep their devices and data safe and how that compares to recommendations. Additionally, experts have long debated and studied the psychological underpinnings and motivations for users to do what they do, especially when such behavior is seen as risky, at least to experts. This study investigates user motivations through a survey conducted on Mechanical Turk, which resulted in responses from 290 participants. We use a rational decision model to guide our design, as well as current thought on human motivation in general and in the realm of computer security. Through quantitative and qualitative analysis, we identify key gaps in perception between those who follow common security advice (i.e., update software, use a password manager, use 2FA, change passwords) and those who do not and help explain participants' motivations behind their decisions. Additionally, we find that social considerations are trumped by individualized rationales.

Michael Fagan, University of Connecticut

Mohammad Maifi Hasan Khan, University of Connecticut

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.

Fagan PDF
View the slides

Presentation Audio

MP3 Download

Download Audio

  • Log in or    Register to post comments

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Media Sponsors & Industry Partners

© USENIX

  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us