Abstract
In an era where mobile devices store more and more personal and sensitive information,the potential damage of unauthorized access can be immense, from exposure of private
data to the risk of identity theft. Traditional authentication methods, while effective to a
certain degree, fail to authenticate the device to the user, leaving room for sophisticated
attacks using rogue devices.
This thesis introduces and evaluates “Good Vibes Authentication”, a novel approach
that uses wristwatch vibrations to authenticate a mobile device to its user. Unlike traditional methods that focus primarily on user-to-device authentication, this method
focuses on device-to-user authentication, ensuring that users can verify the legitimacy
of their devices in real time. At the core of this approach is the use of personalized
vibration patterns sent from a smartwatch to the user, who can recognize and respond
to them.
The research focused on two main objectives: first, to evaluate how accurately users
could recognize and respond to these personalized vibration patterns in various scenarios, including cases where the expected vibration was either incorrect or absent. Second,
the research aimed to evaluate the usability of the system from the user’s perspective.
The study was conducted through a combination of user testing and a questionnaire,
collecting both quantitative data on user performance and qualitative insights into their
experiences with the prototype.
The results of the user study showed that the Good Vibes authentication method was
generally effective, with users demonstrating high recognition rates and low error rates
in most scenarios. Participants were able to reliably interpret the vibration feedback,
suggesting that this method could serve as a viable support to traditional authentication
mechanisms.
The questionnaire provided additional insights, revealing that users found the system easy to use, quick to adapt to, and efficient to operate. However, there was some
hesitation about using this method in everyday life, indicating the need for further
research to address potential barriers to widespread adoption.
| Date of Award | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English (American) |
| Supervisor | Rainhard Dieter Findling (Supervisor) |