An experimental analysis: The effects of security controls on human behavior in online social media

Abstract

In the context of behavioral analysis, online security control mechanisms can be classified as an aversive stimulus that is part of the contingencies that control the behavior of Internet users. The prior presentation of an aversive stimulus may decrease the likelihood of an user emitting a response or have other behavioral effects that can affect the user, the online community and/or the services of online social media. Taking the viewpoint of an experimental analysis of behavior as reference, this paper demonstrates empirically how the manipulation of a security control in the behavior contingencies of an online social chat service can considerably affect the behavior pattern of users in a social setting. The results may contribute to understand of the effects of aversive stimuli on the Internet and to assist in studies aiming to develop architectures that preserve the usability and security of online systems. The trend towards using this type of environment is growing considerably and, in general terms, we believe that this study may contribute to the science of behavior analysis and the development of security controls that necessarily involve the understanding of human behavior to perceive, understand and act upon the risks and threats involved in these environments.

Authors

Nelson Novaes Neto – Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo – Brazil

Sergio Vasconcelos de Luna – Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo – Brazil

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