Abstract
To combat the rise in internet-based crime, computer security warnings must be optimized to improve user compliance. Past research has shown various methods for improving warning efficiency but little research has examined the effectiveness of these methods on computer-based warnings. At present, a subset of the data from a proposed factorial design has been collected from seventy participants who encountered one of two computerized warnings: a control warning similar to these that are currently in use or an experimental warning that contained a number of physical and content improvements. The techniques used to improve the design of the experimental warning included color, borders, symbols, improved message clarity, the addition of a warning source and warning personalization. Compliance rates and reaction time responses were collected for each of the two warnings. Preliminary results indicated that the warning improvement increased compliance, though not at a statistically significant level. Potential directions for computer security software design, user training, and future research are discussed.
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