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| 07-18-2003 | Previous edition: 07-16-2003 |
        
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Printer-friendly version Researchers study Internet trust issues, create solutionBy Kathryn BennettSummer Reporter Computer users who participate in online auctions, submit medical information over the Internet or conduct business transactions via the Internet may soon feel more secure thanks to the research of Purdue computer scientists. Bharat Bhargava, professor of computer science, is leading a team of researchers who study trust issues with regards to Internet interactions. The team is formalizing, or mathematically describing, trust concepts for application in software packages. The scientists' research could lead to more secure transaction interfaces for online customers and communicators. Countries in Europe and Asia have already instituted more stringent computer security measures, said Bhargava, but Americans are only now calling for safer computer interactions. "The level … for building the trust has gone up in the United States," said Bhargava. Online auction sites such as e-Bay have sparked a demand for increased computer security and a more thorough understanding of secure interactions, Bhargava said. Leszek Lilien, research scientist in computer science, said Purdue scientists hope to improve upon the security precautions at such Web sites, developing more reliable formulas for variables, such as buying history. Bhargava said that most computer sites require some form of nominal identification, such as a password, a mother's maiden name or a date of birth. He said this information is easily replicated, leaving consumers potentially vulnerable during their online interactions. The team is working to solve these problems by creating more reliable password and recognition systems. Lilien said many trust issues result from mechanical errors as well as improperly secured data. Sometimes network connections malfunction making important databases vulnerable. Trust often decreases between organizations because of these mistakes, said Lilien. Mike Atallah, professor of computer science, said computer-related trust is "the belief that things will work as they are supposed to under adverse conditions." Atallah said that sometimes businesses or individuals find trust impossible, not because of computer programs, but because of human interactions. "The fact that they don't trust each other has nothing to do with the data," he said. "There is this fear that the other party will leak the information." Computer trust is crucial in many business situations, said Atallah. "In some situations, trust is treated almost like money," he said. Bhargava's team, however, is attempting to create formal concepts that will prevent software exploitation and minimize entities' vulnerability in disclosing secure information. Bhargava said researchers who attempt to improve trust in computer systems generally draw concepts from human interactions. He likened building network trust to applying for a job — applicants must provide background information, recommendations and examples of their work in order to gain trust from an employer. Similarly, computer network trust requires significant documentation from all parties. Lilien said the concepts the group is developing could combat Internet fraud and dishonesty. He said that trust creates the potential for abuse, but by monitoring computer and human interactions, a trustworthy environment will evolve. Glenn Sparks, professor of communication, said Americans are skeptical about using online auction or business sites because of security and trust issues. "I think that people that are not in 'the know' about computers … have a concern about their security being compromised," he said. Sparks said most customers are worried about the human component of online auctioning. Users are concerned that the person selling or buying a product may not be trustworthy, he said. However, these concerns will not ultimately hinder online transactions. "I do think that this kind of Internet auctioning has been successful enough at this point that our best predictions would be that this is going to continue," he said. "I think it's also a matter of the technology just catching up." Printer-friendly version |
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