Carleton University - School of Computer Science Honours Project
Summer 2022
The Problem With Security Advice Today
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.