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When Googling it doesn’t work: The challenge of finding security advice for smart home devices

Turner, Sarah, Nurse, Jason R. C., Li, Shujun (2021) When Googling it doesn’t work: The challenge of finding security advice for smart home devices. In: Human Aspects of Information Security and Assurance. HAISA 2021. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology. 613. Springer ISBN 978-3-030-81110-5. E-ISBN 978-3-030-81111-2. (doi:10.1007/978-3-030-81111-2_10) (KAR id:88357)

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Abstract

As users increasingly introduce Internet-connected devices into their homes, having access to accurate and relevant cyber security information is a fundamental means of ensuring safe use. Given the paucity of information provided with many devices at the time of purchase, this paper engages in a critical study of the type of advice that home Internet of Things (IoT) or smart device users might be presented with on the Internet to inform their cyber security practices. We base our research on an analysis of 427 web pages from 234 organisations that present information on security threats and relevant cyber security advice. The results show that users searching online for information are subject to an enormous range of advice and news from various sources with differing levels of credibility and relevance. With no clear explanation of how a user may assess the threats as they are pertinent to them, it becomes difficult to understand which pieces of advice would be the most effective in their situation. Recommendations are made to improve the clarity, consistency and availability of guidance from recognised sourcesto improve user access and understanding.

Item Type: Conference or workshop item (Paper)
DOI/Identification number: 10.1007/978-3-030-81111-2_10
Uncontrolled keywords: Internet of Things, Cyber Security, Smart Home, Cyber Security Advice, Information, Online Search, Connected Home
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Q Science > QA Mathematics (inc Computing science)
T Technology > T Technology (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences > School of Computing
University-wide institutes > Institute of Cyber Security for Society
Depositing User: Sarah Turner
Date Deposited: 28 May 2021 13:48 UTC
Last Modified: 21 Jun 2023 11:43 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/88357 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)
Turner, Sarah: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1246-1528
Nurse, Jason R. C.: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4118-1680
Li, Shujun: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5628-7328
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