Search results for "Password strength"
showing 4 items of 4 documents
Can individuals’ neutralization techniques be overcome? A field experiment on password policy
2020
Individuals’ lack of adherence to password security policy is a persistent problem for organizations. This problem is especially worrisome because passwords remain the primary authentication mechanism for information systems, and the number of passwords has been increasing. For these reasons, determining methods to improve individuals’ adherence to password-security policies constitutes an important issue for organizations. Extant research has shown that individuals use neutralization techniques, i.e., types of rationalizations, to disregard organizational information-security policies. What has not been determined from extant information security research is whether these neutralizations c…
Too many passwords? How understanding our memory can increase password memorability
2018
Abstract Passwords are the most common authentication mechanism, that are only increasing with time. Previous research suggests that users cannot remember multiple passwords. Therefore, users adopt insecure password practices, such as password reuse in response to their perceived memory limitations. The critical question not currently examined is whether users’ memory capabilities for password recall are actually related to having a poor memory. This issue is imperative: if insecure password practices result from having a poor memory, then future password research and practice should focus on increasing the memorability of passwords. If, on the other hand, the problem is not solely related …
Improving Password Memorability, While Not Inconveniencing the User
2019
Abstract Passwords are the most frequently used authentication mechanism. However, due to increased password numbers, there has been an increase in insecure password behaviors (e.g., password reuse). Therefore, new and innovative ways are needed to increase password memorability and security. Typically, users are asked to input their passwords once in order to access the system, and twice to verify the password, when they create a new account. But what if users were asked to input their passwords three or four times when they create new accounts? In this study, three groups of participants were asked to verify their passwords once (control group), twice, and three times (two experimental gr…
Framing Effects on Online Security Behavior
2020
We conducted an incentivized lab experiment examining the effect of gain vs. loss-framed warning messages on online security behavior. We measured the probability of suffering a cyberattack during the experiment as the result of five specific security behaviors: choosing a safe connection, providing minimum information during the sign-up process, choosing a strong password, choosing a trusted vendor, and logging-out. A loss-framed message led to more secure behavior during the experiment. The experiment also measured the effect of trusting beliefs and cybersecurity knowledge. Trusting beliefs had a negative effect on security behavior, while cybersecurity knowledge had a positive effect.