Kat Krol|Matthew Moroz|M. Angela Sasse
Don't work. Can't work? Why it's time to rethink security warnings
University College London|University College London|University College London
number internet users grown security threats face online security warnings one key strategy trying warn users threats recently questioned whether effective conducted study 120 participants brought laptops usability test new academic article summary tool encountered pdf download warning one papers participants noticed warning 98 817 downloaded pdf file triggered significant difference responses brief generic warning longer specific one participants heeded warning overwhelmingly female either previous experience viruses lower levels computing skills analysis reasons ignoring warnings shows participants become desensitised frequent exposure false alarms think recognise security risks time answers revealed misunderstandings security threats instance rely antivirus software protect wide range threats believe pdf files infect machine viruses conclude security warnings current forms largely ineffective remain unless number false positives reduced