Thank you for your interest in the UIC Twitter Phishing Study. Please read the consent form before taking the survey. The link to the survey is located at the end of this form. 

University of Illinois at Chicago

Research Information and Consent for Participation in Social Behavioral Research

Analyzing Phishing Campaigns in Twitter

 

You are being asked to participate in a research study. Researchers are required to provide a consent form such as this one to tell you about the research, to explain that taking part is voluntary, to describe the risks and benefits of participation, and to help you to make an informed decision.  You should feel free to ask the researchers any questions you may have.

Principal Investigator Name and Title: Stacy Blasiola, PhD Student

Department and Institution: Department of Communication, University of Illinois at Chicago

Address and Contact Information: 2051 W. Melrose St. Chicago, IL 60618

Why am I being asked?                                         

You are being asked to be a subject in a research study about phishing attacks on Twitter. Phishing attacks on Twitter happen when a Twitter account is used to send messages to real Twitter users. These messages contain links that lead to fake login pages for banks, email accounts, retail websites, and social network sites. Phishers hope that users will log in to these fake pages and in doing so, provide the phisher with their username and password. We hope to understand more about how these attacks occur. However, many of the attacks take place in direct messages between users. As such, the best way to learn about the nature of these attacks is to learn from Twitter users about their experiences with phishing attacks.

You have been asked to participate in the research because you are a Twitter user and you are over the age of 18. Because this study will ask about your experiences on Twitter, you must be a user of Twitter to complete the questionnaire.

Your participation in this research is voluntary.  Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future dealings with the University of Illinois at Chicago.  If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without affecting that relationship.

Approximately 1,000 subjects may be involved in this research at UIC.

What is the purpose of this research?                              

Researchers are trying to learn more about the way phishing attacks are carried out on Twitter. Phishing attempts may take place in the public and private areas of Twitter. This survey will help researchers better understand the nature of the messages that phishers use and may help researchers create a safer online environment for Twitter users.

What procedures are involved?                              

This research will be performed at the University of Illinois at Chicago, BSB 1149, 1007 W. Harrison St. Chicago, IL 60607.

You will need to complete the survey one time. The survey is anonymous. Your identity will not be asked or recorded. The survey takes approximately 3 to 20 minutes to complete depending on the responses. Some answers will generate follow up questions that can increase the total time it takes to complete the survey.

The study procedures are:

-       Read the entire informed consent form.

-       Acknowledge that you are over the age of 18.

-       Select whether you “Agree” or “Do not agree” that by taking the survey you are agreeing to participate in the research.

-       If you “Agree” click the link provided below and take the survey.

-       If you “Disagree” please exit the webpage.

What are the potential risks and discomforts?

To the best of our knowledge, the things you will be doing have no more risk of harm than you would experience in everyday internet use.

Are there benefits to taking part in the research?         

This study is not designed to benefit you directly.  This study is designed to learn more about phishing attacks on Twitter. As a Twitter user, the results of the study may help you and others understand how to better protect yourselves from phishing attacks.

What other options are there?

You have the option to not participate in this study.

What about privacy and confidentiality?

Confidentiality will be maintained to the degree permitted by the technology used. Your participation in this online survey involves risks similar to a person's everyday use of the Internet. Because your participation is anonymous, the research team will be unaware of your participation.

Study information will be looked at and/or copied for checking up on the research by: UIC OPRS, State of Illinois Auditors. 

When the results of the research are published or discussed in conferences, no information will be included that would reveal your identity.

What are the costs for participating in this research?   

There are no costs to you for participating in this research.

Will I be reimbursed for any of my expenses or paid for my participation in this research?

No.

Can I withdraw or be removed from the study?

If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw your consent and discontinue participation at any time. To discontinue your participation, you may simple close out the survey window. Because surveys are administered anonymously and no identifiable information will be collected, answers submitted prior to your decision to withdraw will be recorded.

Who should I contact if I have questions?

Contact the researchers, Stacy Blasiola by email at sblasi2@uic.edu if you have any questions about this study or your part in it. Contact the faculty sponsor, Dr. Zizi Papacharissi, at (312) 996-3188 if you have questions, concerns or complaints about the research.

What are my rights as a research subject?

If you feel you have not been treated according to the descriptions in this form, or if you have any questions about your rights as a research subject, including questions, concerns, complaints, or to offer input, you may call the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS) at 312-996-1711 or 1-866-789-6215 (toll-free) or e-mail OPRS at uicirb@uic.edu.

Remember:                                       

Your participation in this research is voluntary.  Your decision whether or not to participate will not affect your current or future relations with the University.  If you decide to participate, you are free to withdraw at any time without affecting that relationship.

Signature of Subject or Legally Authorized Representative    

I have read (or someone has read to me) the above information.  I have been given an opportunity to ask questions and my questions have been answered to my satisfaction.  By completing the survey I am acknowledging that I am over the age of 18 and that I am agreeing to participate in the research.

If you do not agree to participate in this research, please exit this page.

I am over the age of 18 and I agree to participate in this study.