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Keeping a password safe is the goal of every user, but there are many who still use their or their dog’s name as their security key
When signing up for a new online service, the hardest part is choosing a password. Passwords that are too simple are not accepted by most platforms and are easy for hackers to guess. The fact that there are thousands of hacks or hacking attempts each year is largely due to users choosing their dog’s name or “qwerty” (the most used password in the world, according to the latest data) as their security keys.
Choosing between an easy password or a complex password is always very complicated. Many people prefer simple passwords: they are easier to remember and give you instant access to online services. In recent years, however, more and more users have opted for a complex password: although difficult to remember, it is much more secure, and the tools hackers use to decode the security key are practically useless.
Kaspersky, a company specializing in IT security solutions, has conducted research in recent months to understand user habits when it comes to choosing a password. The results are very interesting and show a special situation: users are looking for a solution that combines the security of complex passwords with the ease of using easy-to-remember keys. And this solution has only one name: the password manager.
Kaspersky research results
Users are aware of the need to use a complex password, especially for certain types of online services: bank accounts (63%); payment applications, including e-wallets (43%); and online shopping platforms (41%). At the same time, almost 40% of users have problems remembering difficult passwords and are forced to reset them. Another problem with long passwords is how they are stored: 51% say they use unsecured strategies and 23% write them in a notebook.
Hackers on the attack
Many interviewees also report an increase in hacker activity. 17% of respondents have encountered a breach of their account: the most common is email profiles (41%), social networks (37%), bank accounts (18%) and online shopping (18%). Hackers are particularly fond of users who use the same password for all their online accounts (10% of respondents).
How to solve the dilemma between a simple password and a complex one
To protect your online profiles, the only option is to create complex passwords. It’s even better if they are passwords. Logically, you have trouble remembering security keys that long, but there is a very simple solution: password managers. These are programs and applications that store all the credentials for accessing the services that the user has subscribed to and use encryption to protect them from hacker attacks. Most password managers are free and can be downloaded directly from the Internet.
