Lack of Unique Passwords Puts Internet Users at Risk
Many internet users often recycle their passwords. - Most internet users repetitively employ identical passwords across various platforms.
Hey there! Here's a heads up: Using the same password for multiple online services can be a major security fiasco. That's what Web.de and GMX warned us on a recent Tuesday.
Why is this a problem? When a password gets hacked on just one service, cybercriminals can use that same password to log into many other websites and make purchases, or worse, misuse your data in other ways.
Good news for some, though: One-third of surveyed users (32%) are already using passwordless authentication via Passkey - a cool login method that uses your biometric data or a device ID, a unique identifier assigned to your device. Moreover, six out of ten users (61%) expressed willingness to try Passkeys for especially important services or even for all their services in the future.
For protecting online accounts, 56% of people want companies to offer more support for mandatory or more frequently offered multi-factor authentication. This extra layer of protection includes technologies that secure your login in addition to your password, such as a biometric fingerprint or a notification on your smartphone. There's a strong demand for MFA, particularly for email inboxes (30%), online shopping accounts (28%), and cloud storage (21%).
Bilendi, a market research company, surveyed 1,121 German internet users aged 18 and over on behalf of Web.de and GMX in April. The results are representative of the German population, and the survey was conducted as World Password Day approaches on May 1.
While Web.de and GMX might not have shared any specific stats about password reuse, Passkeys, or MFA in their recent warning, here's what we know generally:
- Password Reuse: Lots of users reuse passwords, which makes them vulnerable if any one of those services gets hacked.
- Passwordless Authentication (Passkeys): There's an increasing trend towards adopting passwordless authentication with the help of Passkeys. These offer extra security using biometric data or cryptographic keys stored on devices.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA is becoming more popular as a security measure, combining multiple verification methods like passwords, biometric data, one-time codes, to block unauthorized access.
That's it, folks! Make sure to stay safe out there by using unique passwords and considering MFA and Passkeys whenever possible. Happy World Password Day!
The Commission has also adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of personal data, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity and technology in the 21st century. In light of the increasing prevalence of password reuse, which leaves online accounts vulnerable to hacking, there's an urgent need for widespread adoption of passwordless authentication methods like Passkeys. With biometric data or cryptographic keys stored on devices, Passkeys offer an additional layer of protection. Furthermore, the demand for Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is on the rise, as users seek to secure their online accounts using technologies like biometric fingerprints and smartphone notifications as identifiers.
