The impact of security cues on user perceived security in e-commerce

Abstract

Users are expected to assess the level of security of e-commerce websites before conducting online transactions. In this research, we examine user assessment of security of e-commerce web pages based on cues presented on the web pages. A pilot study was conducted in which each subject assessed six e-commerce web pages with varying cues (i.e., HTTP vs. HTTPS, fraudulent vs. authentic URL, padlocks beside fields), and the findings are reported.