Kraken – A Low-Fidelity Prototype for Mobile Cybersecurity (Graduate Project)

Problem:
As cybersecurity threats continue to grow, many users lack the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world safely. While solutions exist to provide automated warnings, like for phishing emails or risky mobile apps, users often don’t understand why these warnings are issued or how to improve their own cybersecurity hygiene. The challenge was to design a mobile solution that not only alerted users to potential threats but also educated them on cybersecurity best practices, reducing risky behaviors.

Solution:
As a graduate student, I collaborated with two other students to address this problem by creating a low-fidelity prototype for a mobile app we called Kraken (playing on the phishing theme). The concept combined active cybersecurity assistance with educational tools, helping users understand the risks they face and how to protect themselves.

Leveraging research on how to effectively communicate automated warnings and reduce risk-taking, we conducted notional user interviews to refine our approach. We designed Kraken with a simple, intuitive mascot that indicated the device’s current security status (safe, risky, or in danger) in real-time. When users encountered a suspicious email with phishing indicators, Kraken would alert them and transparently explain why the email was flagged. Users were then guided on how to handle the threat, all while learning about cybersecurity practices.

To make cybersecurity more engaging, we incorporated gamification elements. Users earned rewards for safe behavior, such as recognizing phishing attempts or avoiding suspicious downloads, reinforcing positive habits through incentives.

Outcome:
Although Kraken was developed as a graduate project and never progressed beyond the prototyping phase, it was a valuable learning experience. The project deepened my understanding of UX/UI practices and demonstrated how research can be applied to create practical, user-centric solutions. It also underscored the importance of transparency and education in cybersecurity, shaping my future approach to user experience design in the field.