The public and cybersecurity practices and knowledge

Lee Rainie - @lrainie

Director Internet, Science, and Technology Research

Cybersecurity Alliance - May 5, 2017

A big problem

41

35

16

15

14

13

6

64

Noticed fraudulent charges on their credit card

Received a notice that personal information had been

compromised

Had their social media account taken over without

permission

Had their email account taken over without permission

Received notice their social security number was compromised

Had a loan or line of credit taken out in their name

Had a tax refund taken out in their name

Any of these

How confident these entities can protect your data?

How people keep track of their passwords

Not best practices

• 41% of online adults have shared the password to one of their online accounts with a friend or family member.

• 39% say that they use the same (or very similar) passwords for many of their online accounts.

• 25% admit that they often use passwords that are less secure than they’d like, because simpler passwords are easier to remember than more complex ones.

• 28% of smartphone owners do not use screen locks

• 54% use public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive activities like e-commerce and banking

Will cyberattacks happen in the next 5 years?

Knowledge – Tier 1

Knowledge – Tier 2

Incorrect Correct Not sure

Knowledge – Tier 3

Incorrect Correct Not sure

Knowledge – Tier 4

Incorrect Correct Not sure

Demographics

• Broad differences in knowledge by educational

attainment, especially concerning gap between

those who ended education at high school and those

who have college+ degrees

• Modest differences in knowledge by age• Private browsing

• GPS function

• Multi-factor authentication

• Botnet

• Public Wi-Fi not always safe

Amen!