This paper presents a qualitative study to explore how individuals perceive and verify visual digital certificates with QR codes. During the COVID-19 pandemic, such certificates have been used in the EU to provide standardized proof of vaccination.
We conducted semi-structured interviews with N=17 participants responsible for verifying COVID-19 certificates as part of their job. Using a two-fold thematic analysis approach, we, among other things, identified and classified multiple behavioral patterns, including inadequate reliance on visual cues as a proxy for proper digital verification.
We present design and structural recommendations based on our findings, including conceptual changes and improvements to storage and verification apps to limit shortcut opportunities. Our empirical findings are hence essential to improve the usability, robustness, and effectiveness of visual digital certificates and their verification.
History
Preferred Citation
Dañiel Gerhardt, Alexander Ponticello, Adrian Dabrowski and Katharina Krombholz. Investigating Verification Behavior and Perceptions of Visual Digital Certificates. In: Usenix Security Symposium (USENIX-Security). 2023.
Primary Research Area
Empirical and Behavioral Security
Name of Conference
Usenix Security Symposium (USENIX-Security)
Legacy Posted Date
2022-10-05
Open Access Type
Green
BibTeX
@inproceedings{cispa_all_3793,
title = "Investigating Verification Behavior and Perceptions of Visual Digital Certificates",
author = "Gerhardt, Dañiel and Ponticello, Alexander and Dabrowski, Adrian and Krombholz, Katharina",
booktitle="{Usenix Security Symposium (USENIX-Security)}",
year="2023",
}