Information design principles are overlooked in cyber security awareness websites. An Information Design Process Model has been devised to help frame and interpret how online information is processed and the role information design principles play in facilitating that processing. Two websites have been compared, and results show significant differences in terms of performance, behavior and perception. The results also show that in situations where serious information is at stake, such as cyber security, a more accessible design does not seem to be sufficient to project a sense of trust and security among users. All these findings have led to original insights regarding the design of online information in terms of lasting impression and user-centered design approaches. Keywords: information design, online information, user-centered information design principles, information processing, cyber security