Posted by Virus Bulletin on Nov 8, 2010
User continues to be the weakest link.
73% of computer users use the same password across multiple different accounts according to survey results released by security firm BitDefender.
The survey revealed that 12% of respondents were willing to disclose their password to a stranger in order to discover whether it was strong enough. A quarter of respondents used a six-character combination as their password, but only 1% of participants used an alphanumeric sequence longer than 15 characters.
A poll carried out by VB earlier this year showed slightly more optimistic figures, with 25% of users saying they used the same password to access all sites, however a further 51% said that they had a number of passwords but shared them across multiple sites.
Sabina Datcu, BitDefender E-Threats Analyst and Communication Specialist said: "Too many users make it very easy for fraudsters to gain access to their email, social media, bank and other accounts by employing the same password. It is like having a bunch of spare keys to your house and handing them out to anyone who asks."
These results highlight the long recognized fact that the user is the weakest link in the security chain, but what can organizations do to educate their users? At the VB 'Securing Your Organization in the Age of Cybercrime' Seminar, Andrew Lee will discuss practical ways in which the weakest link can be strengthened, without resorting to overly draconian measures that can often bring the opposite of the desired result.
The VB Seminar takes place at the IET London, UK from 9am to 4pm on 25 November 2010. Secure your place by booking online now. (Or download a PDF copy of the booking form and fax the completed form to +44 (0)1865 543153.)
Posted on 08 November 2010 by Virus Bulletin
