The Factors Influencing the Use of Password Managers

Abstract

This paper investigates the factors that influence the actual use of password managers. In this paper, we have integrated some factors from the Technology Acceptance Model (perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and attitude) with other factors from the literature review (user readiness, awareness, and motivation) to investigate the influence of these factors on the use of password managers. The authors used an online questionnaire to collect data. The questionnaire was distributed by using two social media platforms (Twitter and WhatsApp). There were 171 participants from 6 countries who completed the questionnaire. Structural equation modelling was employed by using SmartPLS-3 software to analyse the data. Findings indicate that perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and user readiness have a positive impact and are substantially associated with attitude, thus influencing the actual use of password managers. Likewise, perceived usefulness, user readiness, and awareness have a positive impact and are significantly associated with motivation of users to use it, which also influences the actual use of password managers.