UK, Research from the leading B2B software review website has found that a high proportion of Brits do not follow necessary password security practices, posing a potential hacking risk for many businesses.
GetApp’s most recent survey of over 1,000 participants has revealed that 68% of respondents tend to choose passwords with phrases or patterns that are easy to remember and/or have personal meaning. Additionally, more than half (56%) use the same passwords for multiple accounts. This trend is most prevalent amongst younger generations at 60% in the age group between 18-25, compared with 51% in adults 65 and above.
Younger populations are also more inclined to wait until they’re forced to change their password in comparison with older populations. In the 18-25 age group, 28% change their password regularly compared with 41% of those 65 and above.
On top of that, when respondents do update their passwords, 49% of 18-25 year olds change only a few characters. By contrast, 56% of those above 50 years old create an entirely new password every time.
Weak passwords pose a risk to data security
Weak passwords are one of the easiest ways hackers can infiltrate IT systems and gain access to private data. This has been the cause of severe data breaches for companies such as Dropbox and Equifax in recent years.
However, practices such as two-factor authentication help improve account security. As 56% of respondents claimed to use two-factor authentication for their business and private accounts whenever possible. Although the younger respondents exhibit less concern regarding password security, they are more familiar with password managers and authentication methods, as 31% under 35 use a password manager app.
Through two-factor authentication, several methods can be used as a second point of verification. Security questions are the most common second step to log in to software applications at 82%, followed by codes sent to email accounts (81%) and to mobile devices (80%).
Sonia Navarrete, content analyst at GetApp UK, comments:
Data security is a huge issue nowadays. As hacking attacks are on the rise, it is vital that people understand the importance of data protection and practice safe password management practices. To avert risks to data security, a few simple changes can have effective results.These include never sharing or reusing passwords, avoiding the noting down of passwords online or on paper (even though 31% of participants do this), using password managers and reporting password breaches as soon as they occur.
About GetApp
GetApp is the recommendation engine small businesses need to make the right software choice. GetApp enables SMEs to achieve their mission by delivering the tailored, data-driven recommendations and insights needed to make informed software purchasing decisions. For more information, visit www.getapp.co.uk.
Study Methodology
Data for the GetApp Biometric Technology and Password Management UK Survey 2021 was collected in January 2021 in which 1,011 UK based respondents within the age groups of 18-25, 26-34, 35-49, 50-64, 65 and above responded.
