Password management is still too much for people – and many of us still write them down
Keeper Security, maker of one of the best password managershas published new research showing that people still struggle with creating and storing secure passwords.
The report found that nearly two-thirds (62%) of people are still overwhelmed by password management. Many people are overconfident in their knowledge of cybersecurity practices, resulting in risky password practices.
The report also highlighted the importance of password management, as well as the importance of transitioning to passwordless alternatives such as passkeys and other multifactor passwords. authentication (MFA) methods.
Bad practices
When it comes to how people remember multiple passwords, the most common methods were relying solely on memory (26%), writing them down (24%), and saving them in a browser or phone notes app (19%). The problem with these methods is that they aren’t secure and can lead to easily lost or stolen passwords.
Users also frequently share their passwords with friends and family, with streaming site accounts being the most shared (34%), followed by shopping accounts (22%), personal emails (20%), social media (16%) and work/school emails (16%). The latter is particularly concerning as it puts not only the account itself at risk, but the wider organisation as well.
Keeper advises users who have trouble remembering passwords to use a password manager, create strong and unique passwords using the best password generators, and use MFA where available.
“The data reveals a cybersecurity paradox where people are confident in their cybersecurity knowledge, yet are often the targets of cyberattacks and scams,” said Darren Guccione, CEO and co-founder of Keeper Security. “This disparity highlights that knowledge alone cannot mitigate cyber risk; using tools like password managers and following best practices are essential to mitigating cyber risk.”