"Computer Scientist Confronts Worldwide Challenge of Online Security and Privacy"
A computer security researcher at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) has been awarded a prestigious federal grant to determine the most effective technologies and methods for achieving and maintaining online security and privacy. Assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the university, Shirin Nilizadeh, has been awarded a $200,000 grant by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to study social media discussions in order to gain a better understanding of what concerns exist regarding online security and privacy, what technologies and tools people recommend to each other, and whether or not they are effective. She stated that people care about their online security and privacy everywhere, adding that societal and political movements sometimes make them more cautious or aware of the problems. They go to social media to discuss their concerns and request protective tools and methods. The research community can help in determining what is effective and what is not. Research findings will be used to design and develop better online protection and to enhance existing security and privacy-protecting systems if they are not secure, effective, and efficient. Nilizadeh's research could improve the security of social network tools. This article continues to discuss the UTA researcher's work to improve online safeguards that protect user privacy.