I just don’t get it: Common Security Misconceptions

Abstract

Many security mistakes are made because of some underlying misconception about computer security. These misconceptions can be remedied by developing curricula targeting them, but they must first be identified. This paper outlines our process for identifying common security misconceptions by surveying experts and coding their responses and the results of that process. We also present open-ended questions which are preliminary version of a computer security concept inventory based on these misconceptions.