via Forbes
In a study commissioned by Forbes Advisor, an alarming 46% of Americans admit to having their password stolen in the past year. This survey, conducted by OnePoll, reflects the urgent need for improved password practices among U.S. users, such as using a password manager. The study, polling 2,000 individuals, offers a snapshot of current password security trends, such as widespread password reuse and the frequent need for password changes due to security breaches.
Key Takeaways
- 68% had to change their password across multiple accounts after their password was compromised.
- 42% of people only change their passwords when prompted instead of changing them regularly to avoid hacks.
- 35% believe their password was hacked because they had a weak password, while 30% believe it was due to repeatedly using the same password on multiple accounts.
The most common accounts to have your password hacked in 2024
Survey data reveals that social media accounts, reported by 29% of participants, are the most frequent targets for password hacking. This indicates a high risk in platforms where personal information is abundant.
Next, 15% of users experienced breaches in email accounts. The hacking of these accounts can lead to subsequent security issues in connected services. Home Wi-Fi networks, cited by 9% of respondents, also show vulnerability, often being less secure than professional networks.
Online shopping accounts, mentioned by 8%, are notable targets, posing risks of financial loss. Similarly, 8% reported breaches in their accounts at financial institutions, directly affecting their financial security.
Streaming services and public Wi-Fi hotspots each saw a 7% hacking rate, suggesting that entertainment and convenience services are not immune to cyber threats. Gaming platforms also faced a 7% breach rate, impacting both personal data and gaming experiences.
Healthcare accounts, with 6%, and biometric health data from devices, with 4%, show that health-related information is also at risk, raising concerns over privacy and data security.
These statistics highlight the need for specific security measures for each type of account to protect against diverse cyber threats.
Respondents say a weak password is the main reason their accounts were hacked
Weak passwords are a primary factor in account hacks, with 35% of respondents identifying this as the cause of their security breaches. This suggests that simple or easily guessable passwords remain a significant vulnerability for many users.
Close behind, 30% believe their accounts were compromised due to repeating the same password across multiple platforms. This practice increases the risk of multiple account breaches from a single compromised password.
Additionally, 27% attribute their account hacking to company data breaches, indicating that external security failures play a substantial role in individual account vulnerability.
Phishing attacks, deceptive tactics used to gain sensitive information, were responsible for 21% of the breaches, tied with malware, which also accounted for 21%. These methods prove the sophisticated tactics used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access.
Seventeen percent of participants were unsure of the cause of their account compromise, pointing to a lack of clarity or awareness about how these breaches occur. These insights emphasize the need for stronger, unique passwords and an understanding of common hacking tactics.
Over 75% report having personal information stolen from hacked accounts
The survey data shows a high incidence of personal information theft following password hacks. Seventy-seven percent of respondents report having personal information stolen, with hackers targeting different types of data.
The Forbes Advisor survey shows that 39% had their first and last names compromised. This is closely followed by phone numbers at 38% and personal addresses at 34%. Such information can lead to further privacy violations.
Credit card numbers were compromised for 25% of respondents, posing a direct financial risk. Social Security numbers, vital for identity security, were compromised for 24%, indicating a serious risk of identity theft.
Banking information was accessed in 22% of cases, while work addresses were compromised for 17% of respondents. This points to the extent to which both personal and professional data can be exposed.
A small percentage, 2%, reported other types of information being stolen, and 23% were unsure if any information was taken.
Password creation habits among those who had their account hacked
The survey provides insight into the password-creation habits of those who have experienced account hacking. A significant portion of respondents, 42%, mention using a combination of words and numbers that hold personal significance. This method reflects a common approach to creating memorable yet potentially vulnerable passwords.
Thirty-four percent base their password creation on specific requirements set by the platform or service. This approach often leads to variations in password strength and complexity across different accounts.
Thirty-two percent of respondents adopt a strategy of mixing and matching words and numbers, which can offer more security than using familiar phrases or dates alone.
Interestingly, 18% use variations of old passwords, a tactic that might offer convenience but can also make passwords predictable to attackers.
Only 13% employ a password generator, a tool that can provide more secure and random passwords, suggesting a relatively low adoption of this security measure among the general public.
These trends in password creation indicate a mix of methods, with many users still relying on personally significant or slightly altered previous passwords, which may contribute to the risk of account hacking.
On average, people reuse the same password for at least four accounts
The survey data sheds light on how extensively individuals reuse their passwords across different accounts. Twenty-two percent of respondents are uncertain about how often they reuse passwords, showing a potential lack of attention to their password management practices.
Twenty-four percent acknowledge using the same password for one to two accounts, demonstrating a moderate level of reuse. However, 23% report using the same password across three to four different accounts, increasing the risk of multiple breaches from a single compromised password.
Fourteen percent use the same password for five to six accounts. Seven percent reuse their password for seven to eight accounts, and 4% for nine to 10. Another 4% use the same password for 11 or more accounts, opening them up to significant risk because of extensive reuse.
These figures prove that many users employ the same password for multiple accounts, potentially increasing their vulnerability to cyberattacks.
Over 20% report not doing anything to keep their password safe
The survey reveals diverse methods individuals employ to secure their passwords, yet a notable 22% admit to not using any specific measures for password safety. This lack of action exposes them to heightened cybersecurity risks.
Thirty-one percent of respondents use FaceID, reflecting a preference for biometric security measures. Biometrics, such as FaceID, offer a balance of convenience and security, leveraging unique physical characteristics to protect access to devices and accounts.
Close behind, 30% rely on password managers. These tools store and manage multiple complex passwords, reducing the burden of remembering different passwords and minimizing the risk of using weak or repeated passwords.
Twenty-nine percent use fingerprint scanning, another form of biometric security, to access their devices or accounts. Like FaceID, fingerprint scanning provides a secure and quick way to authenticate user identity.
Eighteen percent opt for generated passwords, indicating a move towards randomly created, and hence, potentially more secure passwords.
However, the fact that 22% do not use any of these methods suggests a significant portion of users may be vulnerable to account breaches due to inadequate password protection practices. This gap in adopting effective password safety measures could be attributed to a lack of awareness or access to these tools, highlighting an area for potential improvement in digital security education and resource availability.
The survey uncovers various practices users adopt with their passwords, some of which raise significant security concerns. Thirty-eight percent of respondents write down their passwords, a method that poses a risk if the physical record is lost or accessed by unauthorized persons.
Thirty-five percent rely solely on memory to remember their passwords. While this avoids digital traces, it can lead to simpler, potentially less secure passwords or forgotten credentials.
Thirty-two percent use the same password across multiple accounts, a risky practice that can lead to widespread account compromise from a single breach. This statistic ties in with the previous observation, where 22% of users do not employ any specific measures for password safety.
Twenty-four percent store passwords on their computer, a method vulnerable to cyberattacks or hardware failures. This practice, while convenient, can expose users to significant risks if their computer security is compromised.
Fourteen percent use the same password for both work and personal accounts, blurring the line between professional and private digital security. This can have serious implications, especially if the password is compromised in one realm, affecting the other.
Eight percent share passwords with family or friends, a practice that, while rooted in trust, opens avenues for accidental or intentional misuse of the credentials.
These findings illuminate a variety of password management habits, many of which can compromise user security. The reliance on memory, reuse of passwords across accounts and practices such as writing down or sharing passwords reveal gaps in secure password management.
Conclusion
As this survey shows, the state of password security in America is a pressing issue, with far-reaching implications for both individual privacy and broader cybersecurity. For journalists and media professionals looking to dig deeper into this topic, Forbes provides insightful resources:
- Evaluating the Safety of Password Managers: Understand the effectiveness of password managers in protecting your digital accounts.
- Generating Strong Passwords: Strategies for creating passwords that are both secure and memorable.
- Crafting Strong Passwords: Detailed advice on how to formulate passwords that can withstand hacking attempts.
- Secure Password Sharing: Tips on how to share passwords with others without compromising security.
These resources offer practical advice and a deeper understanding of the challenges and solutions in password security.
