Digital Security

A Question of Perspective. A Large-Scale Telephone Survey with Four At-Risk User Groups

verfasst von

Franziska Herbert, Steffen Becker, Annalina Buckmann, Marvin Kowalewski, Jonas Hielscher, Yasemin Acar, Markus Dürmuth, Yixin Zou, M. Angela Sasse

Abstract

This paper investigates the digital security experiences of four at-risk user groups in Germany, including older adults (70+), teenagers (14-17), people with migration backgrounds, and people with low formal education. Using computer-assisted telephone interviews, we sampled 250 participants per group, representative of region, gender, and partly age distributions. We examine their device usage, concerns, prior negative incidents, perceptions of potential attackers, and information sources. Our study provides the first quantitative and nationally representative insights into the digital security experiences of these four at-risk groups in Germany. Our findings show that participants with migration backgrounds used the most devices, sought more security information, and reported more experiences with cybercrime incidents than other groups. Older adults used the fewest devices and were least affected by cybercrimes. All groups relied on friends and family and online news as their primary sources of security information, with little concern about their social circles being potential attackers. We highlight the nuanced differences between the four at-risk groups and compare them to the broader German population when possible. We conclude by presenting recommendations for education, policy, and future research aimed at addressing the digital security needs of these at-risk user groups.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Fachgebiet Usable Security and Privacy

Externe Organisation(en)

Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Universität Paderborn
Max-Planck-Institut für Sicherheit und Privatsphäre

Typ

Aufsatz in Konferenzband

Seiten

697-716

Anzahl der Seiten

20

Publikationsdatum

2024

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

Peer-reviewed

Ja

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 4 – Qualitativ hochwertige Bildung, SDG 16 – Frieden, Gerechtigkeit und starke Institutionen

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1109/SP54263.2024.00027 (Zugang: Geschlossen)