GenZ kids may be tech-savvy, but they may not be as cyber-protected as they believe they are.
Did you know that Baby Boomers have stronger passwords than Gen Z? In a recent study, Cybernews analyzed over 15 billion logins and discovered some alarming trends in password usage, reported by World Economic Forum.
Predictable Passwords on the Loose
We all know that cybercrime and data theft are on the rise, and with so much of our lives happening online, having a strong password is crucial. However, it seems that many of us are still relying on predictable codes.
Can you believe that "23456," "Qwerty," and "Password" are among the top five most used passwords? It's like leaving your front door wide open for hackers!
We share our personal information with numerous organizations, from banking and taxes to health and gaming. Yet, how seriously do we take our security?
The LastPass report found that even after receiving cybersecurity education, only 31% of users stopped reusing passwords, and a mere 25% started using a password manager. It seems convenience outweighs common sense.
But wait, there's more! A whopping 62% of those surveyed admitted to using the same password or a variation of it, "mostly" or "always."
Baby Boomers Prioritize Unique Passwords
Now, let's talk about the age groups. Gen Z, those born between 1997 and 2010, might consider themselves tech-savvy, but they have a tendency to memorize their passwords.
It's great to have a good memory, but maybe it's time to think beyond "1234" or "qwerty" and opt for something more secure.
On the other hand, the Baby Boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, might not have the same level of confidence in their password methodology, but they know the importance of uniqueness.
They were found to be the most likely to create unique passwords and the least likely to repeat or use variations.
Interestingly, attitudes varied depending on the type of site. Financial websites and email accounts were considered top priorities for strong and unique passwords. But when it comes to travel or airline accounts, only a mere 8% of respondents bothered to come up with hard passwords.
Maybe people are not concerned about their travel history being leaked to the world.
Although there is a growing recognition among business leaders regarding the importance of cybersecurity, there remains a significant gap that needs to be addressed in order to strengthen collaboration between business and security teams.
It is crucial to take effective action and foster a deep understanding to effectively counter the relentless and evolving threats that exist in the digital landscape.
So, next time you're tempted to set your password as "password" or something equally hackable, think again. Your digital life deserves better protection than that. Let's level up our cybersecurity game and leave those predictable passwords in the past.
Learn more about strengthening your password through these tips.
Related Article: Secure Your Passwords While Donating to Charity Through The 'LastPass' Password Manager App
