Habiba Farrukh

Habiba Farrukh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of California, Irvine, where she directs the Security and Privacy of Emerging Computing Technology (SPECT) Lab. Her research focuses on security & privacy and mobile computing, using system design, machine learning, and human-centered approaches to address threats in emerging computing platforms.

• Ph.D. in Computer Science from Purdue University (advisor: Dr. Z. Berkay Celik)

Research Trends:
Her recent work spans XR security (UI attacks, eye gaze privacy), mobile/IoT security (magnetometer side-channels, secure group pairing), online abuse (toxic content against refugees), and wearable privacy. Publications appear at top venues like USENIX Security, IEEE S&P, and ACM CCS.

Scientific Awards:

• Best Poster Runner-Up Award at MobiSys 2025
• Outstanding Reviewer Award at VehicleSec 2024
• Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship 2021-2022

Teaching:

• CS190: Introduction to Security & Privacy (Spring 2025)
• CS204: Usable Security and Privacy (Fall 204)
• CS295: Security and Privacy of Emerging Computing Platforms (Spring 2024)