Folk Models of Home Computer Security

by: Rick Wash

Abstract

Home computer systems are insecure because they are administered by untrained users. The rise of botnets has amplified this problem; attackers compromise these computers, aggregate them, and use the resulting network to attack third parties. Despite a large security industry that provides software and advice, home computer users remain vulnerable. I identify eight `folk models' of security threats that are used by home computer users to decide what security software to use, and which expert security advice to follow: four conceptualizations of `viruses' and other malware, and four conceptualizations of `hackers' that break into computers. I illustrate how these models are used to justify ignoring expert security advice. Finally, I describe one reason why botnets are so difficult to eliminate: they cleverly take advantage of gaps in these models so that many home computer users do not take steps to protect against them.