SnapApp: Reducing Authentication Overhead with a Time-Constrained Fast Unlock Option

Buschek, Daniel; Hartmann, Fabian; Zezschwitz, Emanuel von; De Luca, Alexander and Alt, Florian (2016): SnapApp: Reducing Authentication Overhead with a Time-Constrained Fast Unlock Option. In: Kaye, Jofish (ed.) : CHI 2016 : proceedings : the 34th Annual CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems : San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, CA, May 7-12. New York, N.Y.: Association for Computing Machinery. pp. 3736-3747

Abstract

We present SnapApp, a novel unlock concept for mobile devices that reduces authentication overhead with a time-constrained quick-access option. SnapApp provides two unlock methods at once: While PIN entry enables full access to the device, users can also bypass authentication with a short sliding gesture ("Snap"). This grants access for a limited amount of time (e.g. 30 seconds). The device then automatically locks itself upon expiration. Our concept further explores limiting the possible number of Snaps in a row, and configuring blacklists for app use during short access (e.g. to exclude banking apps). We discuss opportunities and challenges of this concept based on a 30-day field study with 18 participants, including data logging and experience sampling methods. Snaps significantly reduced unlock times, and our app was perceived to offer a good tradeoff. Conceptual challenges include, for example, supporting users in configuring their blacklists.

• Item Type: Book Section
• Faculties: Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics > Computer Science
• Subjects: 000 Computer science, information and general works > 004 Data processing computer science
• ISBN: 978-1-4503-3362-7
• Place of Publication: New York, N.Y.
• Language: English