Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Web Conference 2018 - Proceedings of the World Wide Web Conference, WWW 2018 |
| Pages | 217-226 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| ISBN (electronic) | 9781450356398 |
| Publication status | Published - 10 Apr 2018 |
| Event | 27th International World Wide Web, WWW 2018 - Lyon, France Duration: 23 Apr 2018 → 27 Apr 2018 |
Publication series
| Name | The Web Conference 2018 - Proceedings of the World Wide Web Conference, WWW 2018 |
|---|
Abstract
All major web browsers include a private browsing mode that does not store browsing history, cookies, or temporary files across browsing sessions. Unfortunately, users have misconceptions about what this mode does. Many factors likely contribute to these misconceptions. In this paper, we focus on browsers» disclosures, or their in-browser explanations of private browsing mode. In a 460-participant online study, each participant saw one of 13 different disclosures (the desktop and mobile disclosures of six popular browsers, plus a control). Based on the disclosure they saw, participants answered questions about what would happen in twenty browsing scenarios capturing previously documented misconceptions. We found that browsers» disclosures fail to correct the majority of the misconceptions we tested. These misconceptions included beliefs that private browsing mode would prevent geolocation, advertisements, viruses, and tracking by both the websites visited and the network provider. Furthermore, participants who saw certain disclosures were more likely to have misconceptions about private browsing»s impact on targeted advertising, the persistence of lists of downloaded files, and tracking by ISPs, employers, and governments.
Keywords
- Incognito mode, Private browsing, Private browsing mode, Usable privacy, User study, Web browser privacy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Computer Science(all)
- Computer Networks and Communications
- Computer Science(all)
- Software
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The Web Conference 2018 - Proceedings of the World Wide Web Conference, WWW 2018. 2018. p. 217-226 (The Web Conference 2018 - Proceedings of the World Wide Web Conference, WWW 2018).
Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Research › peer review
}
TY - GEN
T1 - Your secrets are safe
T2 - 27th International World Wide Web, WWW 2018
AU - Wu, Yuxi
AU - Gupta, Panya
AU - Wei, Miranda
AU - Acar, Yasemin
AU - Fahl, Sascha
AU - Ur, Blase
N1 - Acknowledgments: We gratefully acknowledge support from a Mozilla Research Award and assistance from Adam Freymiller.
PY - 2018/4/10
Y1 - 2018/4/10
N2 - All major web browsers include a private browsing mode that does not store browsing history, cookies, or temporary files across browsing sessions. Unfortunately, users have misconceptions about what this mode does. Many factors likely contribute to these misconceptions. In this paper, we focus on browsers» disclosures, or their in-browser explanations of private browsing mode. In a 460-participant online study, each participant saw one of 13 different disclosures (the desktop and mobile disclosures of six popular browsers, plus a control). Based on the disclosure they saw, participants answered questions about what would happen in twenty browsing scenarios capturing previously documented misconceptions. We found that browsers» disclosures fail to correct the majority of the misconceptions we tested. These misconceptions included beliefs that private browsing mode would prevent geolocation, advertisements, viruses, and tracking by both the websites visited and the network provider. Furthermore, participants who saw certain disclosures were more likely to have misconceptions about private browsing»s impact on targeted advertising, the persistence of lists of downloaded files, and tracking by ISPs, employers, and governments.
AB - All major web browsers include a private browsing mode that does not store browsing history, cookies, or temporary files across browsing sessions. Unfortunately, users have misconceptions about what this mode does. Many factors likely contribute to these misconceptions. In this paper, we focus on browsers» disclosures, or their in-browser explanations of private browsing mode. In a 460-participant online study, each participant saw one of 13 different disclosures (the desktop and mobile disclosures of six popular browsers, plus a control). Based on the disclosure they saw, participants answered questions about what would happen in twenty browsing scenarios capturing previously documented misconceptions. We found that browsers» disclosures fail to correct the majority of the misconceptions we tested. These misconceptions included beliefs that private browsing mode would prevent geolocation, advertisements, viruses, and tracking by both the websites visited and the network provider. Furthermore, participants who saw certain disclosures were more likely to have misconceptions about private browsing»s impact on targeted advertising, the persistence of lists of downloaded files, and tracking by ISPs, employers, and governments.
KW - Incognito mode
KW - Private browsing
KW - Private browsing mode
KW - Usable privacy
KW - User study
KW - Web browser privacy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85077788958&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1145/3178876.3186088
DO - 10.1145/3178876.3186088
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85077788958
T3 - The Web Conference 2018 - Proceedings of the World Wide Web Conference, WWW 2018
SP - 217
EP - 226
BT - The Web Conference 2018 - Proceedings of the World Wide Web Conference, WWW 2018
Y2 - 23 April 2018 through 27 April 2018
ER -