Skalkos Andreas

Abstract:
Search engines, the most popular online services, are associated with several concerns. Users are concerned about unauthorized processing of their personal data, as well as about search engines keeping track of their search preferences. Various search engines have been introduced to address these concerns, claiming that they protect users’ privacy. We call these search engines Privacy-Preserving Search Engines (PPSEs). In this paper, we investigate the factors that motivate search engine users to use PPSEs. To this aim, we adopted Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) and associated its constructs with subjective norms to build a comprehensive research model. We tested our research model using survey data from 830 search engine users worldwide. Our results confirm the interpretive power of PMT in privacy-related decision making and show that users are more inclined to take protective measures when they consider that data abuse is a more severe risk and that they are more vulnerable to data abuse. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of subjective norms in predicting and determining PPSE use. Since subjective norms refer to perceived social influences from important others to engage or refrain from protective behavior, we reveal that the recommendation from people that users consider important motivates them to take protective measures and use PPSE.

Abstract:
Smartphone user authentication based on passwords, PINs, and touch patterns raises several security concerns. Behavioral Biometrics Continuous Authentication (BBCA) technologies provide a promising solution which can increase smartphone security and mitigate users’ concerns. Until now, research in BBCA technologies has mainly focused on developing novel behavioral biometrics continuous authentication systems and their technical characteristics, overlooking users’ attitudes towards BBCA. To address this gap, we conducted a study grounded on a model that integrates users’ privacy concerns, trust in technology, and innovativeness with Protection Motivation Theory. A cross-sectional survey among 778 smartphone users was conducted via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) to explore the factors which can predict users’ intention to use BBCA technologies. Our findings demonstrate that privacy concerns towards intention to use BBCA technology have a significant impact on all components of PMT. Further to this, another important construct we identified that affects the usage intention of BBCA technology is innovativeness. Our findings posit the view that reliability and trustworthiness of security technologies, such as BBCA are important for users. Together, these results highlighted the importance of addressing users’ perceptions regarding BBCA technology.