How Websites Make You Spill Your Secrets

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have discovered that internet surfers are more prone to giving up their private information on websites that appear to be less reputable than others. Darwin would be proud.

One site displayed an official-looking logo, formal fonts, and staid colors. Another site was designed to appear neutral. And the third used lurid colors, less professional-looking fonts, and a cartoonish devil icon. The researchers found that people were nearly twice as likely to admit to having engaged in "illicit" or "socially questionable" activities when presented with questions on the third site--the least reputable-looking one

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