PiXi: an approach to nudge secure password creation

dc.contributor.advisorThorpe, Julie
dc.contributor.advisorSalehi-Abrari, Amirali
dc.contributor.authorWang, Shengqian
dc.date.accessioned2023-08-28T15:39:25Z
dc.date.available2023-08-28T15:39:25Z
dc.date.issued2023-04-01
dc.degree.disciplineComputer Science
dc.degree.levelMaster of Science (MSc)
dc.description.abstractPasswords, a first line of defense against unauthorized access, must be secure and memorable. However, people often struggle to create secure passwords they can recall. To address this problem, we design Password inspiration by eXploring information (PiXi), a novel approach to nudge users towards creating secure passwords. PiXi is the first of its kind that employs a password creation nudge to support users in the task of generating a unique secure password themselves. PiXi prompts users to explore unusual information right before creating a password, to shake them out of their typical habits and thought processes, and to inspire them to create unique (and therefore stronger) passwords. PiXi’s design aims to create an engaging, interactive, and effective nudge to improve secure password creation. We conducted a user study (N = 238) to compare the efficacy of PiXi to typical password creation. Our findings indicate that PiXi’s nudges do influence users’ password choices such that passwords are significantly longer and more secure (less predictable and guessable).en
dc.description.sponsorshipUniversity of Ontario Institute of Technologyen
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10155/1668
dc.language.isoenen
dc.subjectPasswordsen
dc.subjectAuthenticationen
dc.subjectNudgingen
dc.subjectUser studiesen
dc.titlePiXi: an approach to nudge secure password creationen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineComputer Science
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Ontario Institute of Technology
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (MSc)

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Wang_Shengqian.pdf
Size:
9.73 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.68 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: