Carleton University - School of Computer Science Honours Project
Summer 2022
The Problem With Security Advice Today
Adam Khachi
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ABSTRACT
When looking at the concept of human computer interaction in regards to how security advice is presented to the general public and society today, there are many holes and gaps in the conclusion of what is best. Much of the security advice that is seen today falls short of the best best advice possible, mostly due to the lack of knowledge and overwhelming marketability of the topic creating for misinformed readers and superfluous advice. This is extremely prevalent through advertisements and infographics seen today, trying to portray information in an ineffective and foreign manner. Yet, it is understandable as to why this is the case as security advice is quite new to us being a generational necessity today. Due to the rapid growth of the very new and not fully developed topic of computer science, much of what we know tends to change year to year and the advice from yesterday becomes redundant. Furthermore, the art of persuasion and through visual, contextual and written techniques have yet to come to terms with computer security advice and the sharing of information. The topic that is seen as dull and confusing to many in the general public is often ignored due to its overwhelming inconvenience, though the potential security risks involved with computer security in today’s economy makes the topic of cyber security a relevant and important one. Through the analysis of current computer security infographics, we aim to not only understand the issues and problems with today’s security advice campaigns, but to acquire results that define a correct method and design.