Study on the Usability of Security in the Home

Overview of study

In this study, we explore the topic of security and its use within Internet-enabled devices in the home. Specifically, our aim is to develop a better understanding of the main concerns regarding the perception and use of computer security features, and to identify key aspects that drive and support security there. This study is being conducted by Prof Ivan Flechais and Dr Jason Nurse, within the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford.

In the screen that follows, you will be presented with a series of questions that seek to understand the use of security within Internet-enabled devices in the home by you and your family members and friends. Initially, we also collect some basic demographic information that will allow us to better understand your perspective and responses. This survey should take a maximum of 10 minutes to complete and should be completed at one time – participants cannot leave the survey and return to it later as it will timeout.

General points

• This experiment has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through, the University of Oxford Central University Research Ethics Committee.
• Participation in this research is entirely voluntary and the survey can be anonymous.
• Data will be only used and analysed for the purposes mentioned above.
• Data will be treated as confidential and as such securely stored on password-protected computers with encrypted hard drives, and not shared with anyone except the researchers working on the project.

Upon completion of this experiment, you will be entered into a draw where the winner will receive a £20 Amazon UK voucher. The draw will take place after the study has completed, and the winner will be contacted via the email address they provide in the survey.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact investigators at usersecstudy [at] cs.ox.ac.uk.

Participant declaration

Please click the "I agree to particiapte in the study" button below to indicate that you:

• have read the description of the experiment;
• have had the opportunity to ask questions about the study and, if relevant, have received satisfactory answers to questions, and any additional details requested;
• understand that this project has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through, the University of Oxford Central University Research Ethics Committee;
• understand who will have access to data provided, how the data will be stored; and what will happen to the data at the end of the project;
• agree to participate in this study; and
• understand how to contact us to make inquiries or raise any concerns.