With a string of high-profile cyber attacks in recent months, chances are high that it’s going to happen again, which makes your digital security a priority. So are you diligent about changing your password regularly?
Palo Alto Networks research found cyber security awareness still needs work, but … baby boomers are 76 per cent more likely to use different passwords for online accounts than Gen Z.
The study spoke to more than 1000 Australians to understand their cybersecurity awareness, practices and expectations.
A key finding is that pet names still reign supreme when it comes to passwords and were the most common item for passwords across all ages, genders, income levels and education levels.
So, the lesson for the bad guys is clear – find your target’s pet’s name, and chances are you’re going to get into their accounts. Of course, the lesson for everybody else is also clear – stop using such easily identifiable items as passwords.
The second most common password for boomers was the street name, past or present. For Gen X it was the mother’s maiden name.
The study also found that half of all Australians who have been targeted by a cyber attack use the same password across online accounts, while only 35 per cent of people who have never been targeted use the same password across accounts.
Obviously, using the same password across accounts can increase your chances of being breached by 15 per cent.
Palo Alto Networks also found:
* 39 per cent of Australians changed their passwords once a year or less
* men are 21 per cent more likely to use different passwords to women
* baby boomers practise the best password hygiene.
Do some of those findings ring true for you? Is it time t change your password and use different passwords for different accounts?
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