New research by Keeper Security has revealed some worrying trends and misunderstandings when it comes to password best practices and overconfidence in cyber knowledge. The research found that, while 85% of respondents believe their passwords are secure, over half admit to sharing their passwords. Additionally, 64% of people feel confident in their cybersecurity knowledge despite 2 in 5 admitting to password reuse and 24% writing down their passwords.
The findings were released in a report entitled Fortifying Cyber Resilience: Insights Into Global Cybersecurity Practices. The survey of more than 6,000 respondents globally reveals critical insights into current security practices, highlighting both strengths and gaps that need to be addressed. Notably, the research found that 62% of people are worried about managing too many passwords, accounts and logins, underscoring a growing concern among users about the complexity of password management.
Alongside overconfidence, globally, people admitted to engaging in risky password management behaviours. In fact, the most common methods for managing passwords were relying on memory (26%), writing them down (24%) and storing them in a browser or phone notes app (19%). Evidently, there’s room for comprehensive education on password best practices. The Keeper team advise adopting a password manager, creating strong and unique passwords for every account, and enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) everywhere it’s available, can significantly enhance an individual’s personal cybersecurity.
Despite crackdowns by streaming services, over a third of respondents (34%) admit to sharing passwords for streaming sites. The other most commonly shared passwords include:
- Shopping accounts (22%)
- Personal emails (20%)
- Social media (16%)
- Work/school emails (16%)
- Bank account passwords/pins (15%)
- Work productivity platforms (13%)
Ultimately, education is critical when it comes to bolstering global cyber hygiene.
“The data reveals a cybersecurity paradox where people feel confident in their cybersecurity knowledge, yet are frequently targeted by cyber attacks and scams,” said Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-Founder of Keeper Security. “This disparity emphasises that knowledge alone cannot mitigate cyber risks; using tools like password managers and following best practices are vital for reducing cyber risks.”
Keeper’s Fortifying Cyber Resilience: Insights Into Global Cybersecurity Practices report underscores the ongoing challenges that security practitioners face in guiding people to take timely actions to protect themselves online. Empowering individuals through education and technology is critical to safeguarding sensitive data and defending against today’s sophisticated cyber attacks and online scams. By staying informed and adopting best practices, individuals can proactively defend themselves against the most prevalent cyber threats.
