Many people are often exposed to risks in the digital space without realising it - sometimes with serious consequences. This is where doctoral candidate Anna Lena Rotthaler's research comes in: As part of her doctorate at the Chair of Empirical Software Engineering at Paderborn University, the computer scientist has developed the "Security App". The Android application offers easy-to-understand tips and support for greater digital security. Over the course of a month, users receive daily interactive tasks that they can solve quickly and easily. For example, the app helps to secure personal user accounts and protect information and data from loss or unauthorised access. "Our aim is to help people navigate the digital space more safely," explains Rotthaler. "It's important to know that you can effectively protect yourself from digital risks in everyday life. Our app conveys this knowledge in a simple and beginner-friendly way," continues Rotthaler.
Study on the app to be presented at renowned international conference in May
An international research team from Paderborn University, Barnard College (New York City) and the CISPA Helmholtz Centre for Information Security (Hanover) has empirically proven the effectiveness of the "Security App". The study shows that the participants significantly improved their security behaviour and risk awareness after using the app compared to the control group. The scientific research paper has been accepted for publication at the "IEEE Security and Privacy", the world's most renowned conference in the field of IT security. The team will present the results there in San Francisco in May.
Prof Dr Yasemin Acar, Professor of Empirical Software Engineering at the Institute of Computer Science at Paderborn University and head of the research group, says: "For digital security, it is crucial to focus on people when developing technologies. At Paderborn University, we are working in international collaborations to research how people in their everyday lives, as well as software programmers in business and public authorities, can be empowered with new strategies and technological tools to think about digital security right from the start of their work."
The team is currently further developing the "Security App" at Paderborn University in order to provide users with even more individualised support.
The study can be viewed online.
This text was translated automatically.
