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Disadvantaged by Disability: Examining the Accessibility of Cyber Security

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Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. Design Methods and User Experience (HCII 2021)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNISA,volume 12768))

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Abstract

Today, we are living in a digitally dependent world. Through the use of digital technologies, life is meant to be easier and streamlined. This includes giving access to services that previously were unavailable to many due to disability. Although technology has evolved immensely over the past few decades, reducing the digital divide, authentication methods have changed very little. Authentication is the forefront of securing users’ information, services and technology, yet for many it still poses issues in terms of usability and security, due to specific characteristics of different disabilities. In this paper, drawing upon a literature review, a review of recognized disabilities, and the results of a small questionnaire study, we review the current authentication methods and discuss the potential issues that users with different disabilities face when interacting with these methods. We identify the specific aspects of disabilities that lead users to struggle to authenticate themselves. The results of this study lead to several recommendations, and suggestions for extending the existing inclusive technology framework to the authentication context. Through extending the framework, this could guide the development of future technologies, systems and services, ensuring that they are not only digitally inclusive in their function, but digitally inclusive in their security.

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Acknowledgements

The questionnaire is approved by the Norwegian Centre for Research Data and belongs to the project “Digitalisering, autentisering og funksjonshemning” (reference nr. 393208).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Steven Furnell

  2. Norwegian Defence University College/Cyber Academy, Lillehammer, Norway

    Kirsi Helkala

  3. University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

    Naomi Woods

Authors
  1. Steven Furnell
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  2. Kirsi Helkala
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  3. Naomi Woods
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven Furnell .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Margherita Antona

  2. University of Crete and Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Crete, Greece

    Constantine Stephanidis

Appendix

Appendix

The information letter, consent form and questionnaire were all originally written in Finnish and Norwegian. The following is a translated summary of the question text, in order to clarify the specific points that were covered.

  1. 1.

    How has digitalization in general affected the quality of your life in the last 10 years? (A few tips: access to services, running things, socializing, working, studying, transport, traveling, etc.)

    1. a.

      Positive things

    2. b.

      Negative things

    3. c.

      Changes in general

  2. 2.

    What «login» methods do you have on digital devices? Why did you choose these methods (many devices have different options)?

    1. a.

      Computer (at work and at home)

    2. b.

      Telephone (at work and at home)

    3. c.

      Other smart device (e.g. tablet, clock)

  3. 3.

    Think of digital services (e.g. banking services, insurance company) and apps (e.g. VR mobile, Teams, Vilma) that you use via computer or phone.

    1. a.

      What «login» methods do you have for digital services or apps?

    2. b.

      Why did you choose these particular methods (many services and apps have many options)?

  4. 4.

    In Sects. 2 and 3, you listed the identification methods you used. I hope you will now evaluate their practicality for you.

    1. a.

      What make them difficult/easy to use?

    2. b.

      Are there differences in their use between a computer, phone and/or other smart device?

    3. c.

      How could their usability be improved?

  5. 5.

    What is your «dream» identification method? What would it be based on? What would it contain? «Your dream» does not have to be true or even achievable☺

  6. 6.

    Security in the digital world is also enhanced by other methods, such as “are you a robot” questions, warning sounds, various messages and guidance. How practical are these for you? Are there examples of activities that are problematic for you?

Background information:

  1. 1.

    How old are you?

  2. 2.

    What disability do you have?

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Furnell, S., Helkala, K., Woods, N. (2021). Disadvantaged by Disability: Examining the Accessibility of Cyber Security. In: Antona, M., Stephanidis, C. (eds) Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. Design Methods and User Experience. HCII 2021. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 12768. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78092-0_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78092-0_13

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-78091-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-78092-0

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