Tag: passwords

Password loss ‘as stressful as a personal illness’

Around 70% of British people consider password loss as stressful as a personal injury or an illness, financial problems, or dismissal from work, the latest digital stress survey conducted by NordPass indicates.

The study, which investigated the effects increasing cybersecurity demands have on people’s mental health, reveals that 67% of adults in the United Kingdom (UK) fear losing access to an important account without a reset option.

To compare, fewer people — 64% — find a personal injury or illness highly stressful. Dismissal from work and financial problems terrify 70% and 72% of people respectively.

Tomas Smalakys, the CTO of NordPass, said: “The fact that password management issues cause more worries for British people than personal health matters is concerning.

“This insight again proves passwords no longer fit  people’s needs, and the switch towards alternative methods of online authentication should become the key priority for service providers,”

Why do passwords cause so much stress?

NordPass found that the fear of losing access to an account is related to a person having too many passwords at hand and, as a result, struggling to recall which password belongs to which account.

In the UK, almost half (45%) of internet users agreed password management is a challenge for them. In the US, even more people (56%) feel this way.

According to NordPass data, an average internet user has around 100 passwords to manage. This number contains both personal and business accounts, many of which are used on a daily basis.

As Smalakys explains, with so many credentials to remember, people tend to create weak passwords and reuse them, which then results in data breaches:

“It’s an unfortunate cycle. We fear losing access to our accounts and  create simple passwords so we don’t forget them, while the most direct way to lose an account is actually to create a simple password for it,” says Smalakys.

Based on the latest Verizon Data Breach Investigations report, 74% of all breaches include the human element, and creation of weak passwords is among the key causes.

Tips to reduce password management induced stress

To ensure password management is less challenging, Smalakys recommends using the following cybersecurity practices:

1. Adopt a password manager. This solution allows someone to securely store all passwords, passkeys, credit cards, and other digital assets in one place, autofilling them on websites and sharing them with others in an end-to-end encrypted environment. Password managers also generate secure passwords consisting of at least 20 digits.

2. Give passkeys a try. Many tech companies, including Microsoft, Google, and Apple, offer a passwordless login with passkeys. Passkeys are a new technology, approved by the prestigious FIDO Alliance and considered the healthiest and the most convenient alternative to passwords.

3. Delete accounts you no longer use. Rarely used accounts often get abandoned, which makes them attractive to cybercriminals. The passwords for these accounts become outdated and are then easily crackable.

A need for speed: Slow computer is UK’s most Googled tech problem

  • Slow computers top the list of the UK’s ten most Googled computer problems
  • Forgotten passwords are second, and the “blue screen of death” is third
  • Top tips on how to solve the five most commonly searched issues

The UK’s most searched computer problem is how to speed up a PC or laptop, with Google logging more than 57,000 queries every month related to slow computers.

The study by online security experts PPC Shield found that terms such as “how to speed up laptop” or “speed up Windows 10” accumulated the highest number of average monthly searches in the UK – 57,950 in total.

In second place were forgotten password searches, as an average of 44,050 searches are made each month to change a forgotten password to access a service such as Gmail or Facebook.

In third place is the Windows “blue screen of death”, which appears following a fatal system error to indicates a system crash, and generates 32,590 searches on average each month.

The UK’s fourth most-Googled computer problem is based on problems with Windows updates, with 21,050 monthly searches for terms like “Windows update fix” or “Windows 10 update problems”.

Fifth on the list is another speed-related query – people hoping to find ways to speed up their internet connection, which sees on average 20,850 searches per month.

The sixth and seventh most commonly searched computer issues relate to recovering Windows (19,100 monthly searches), and the more drastic option of resetting Windows (12,150), while number eight in the ranking is the problem of the computer not even starting, which is Googled 11,850 times a month.

Problems with peripherals, such as the keyboard and mouse, are ninth on the list due to 10,760 searches each. In tenth but by no means the least infuriating, are printer problems, which generate 10,350 monthly Google inquiries.

Commenting on the study, a spokesperson for PPC Shield said: “Society relies on technology more than ever before, so it’s fascinating to see which technical issues are the most common, and our research reveals that computer speed is of paramount importance. Whether we’re working, or browsing for leisure, everyone is so used to the lightning quick speed of modern technology that even small delays can feel like an age.”

The study used a search analytics platform to analyse more than 400 different terms related to computer problems and grouped together similar search terms to find the most common issues. It also found that the single most searched term is “how to speed up laptop”, followed by “change google password”, with “speed up windows 10” in third.

The analysis was conducted by PPC Shield, which enables brands and businesses to optimise their online ad campaigns by filtering out and blocking fraudulent clicks to ensure an advertising budget is not wasted.

Problem rankType of problemAverage monthly number of UK searches
1Computer is too slow57,950
2Forgotten password44,050
3Blue screen of death32,590
4Windows 10 update problems21,050
5Internet is too slow20,850
6Windows 10 recovery19,100
7Reset Windows 1012,150
8Computer not starting11,850
9Mouse and keyboard not working10,760
10Printer not printing10,350

The UK’s top five most Googled computer problems – and tips on how to solve them:

  1. Computer is too slow
  • Uninstall unnecessary software
  • Limit the programs that run at startup
  • Add more RAM to your PC
  • Check for spyware and viruses
  • Use Disk Cleanup and defragmentation
  • Consider a startup SSD
  • Take a look at your web browser, consider clearing out your cache
  1. Forgotten Password

If you’ve forgotten your password to Gmail or Facebook, you can usually choose to reset the password and gain access to your account. Many security experts recommend using a password manager to create complex unique passwords for each account you create.

If you’ve forgotten your password for Windows, it can be slightly trickier:

  • Password reset options are available by answering security questions (if you completed this when you first set up your PC)
  • It is possible to create a “password reset disk” using a USB stick
  • If all else fails, reinstalling windows will reset your password, but it may also cause you to lose your files
  1. Blue Screen of Death

This can be caused by numerous things, including corrupted apps that need to be reinstalled or incompatible hardware/peripherals. These are easily fixed, but sometimes the “BSOD” will not allow you to even access your desktop. You can boot up your PC in “safe mode”, however, and perform some changes from there – namely, reinstalling windows.

  1. Windows 10 update problems

Along with more advanced fixes, some of the most basic ways you can troubleshoot problematic Windows Updates includes:

  • Free up some drive space so you can run updates
  • Restart to apply installed updates
  • Run Windows Update again
  • Disconnect external hardware
  • Update third-party drivers
  • Check Device Manager for errors
  1. Internet is too slow
  • Turn things off and on again.
  • Move your router to a better location.
  • Adjust your router’s antennas.
  • Make sure you’re on the right frequency band.
  • Prune unnecessary connections.
  • Change your Wi-Fi frequency channel.
  • Update your router’s firmware.
  • Replace your equipment.
  • Extend your Wi-Fi network.

Five ways to keep your personal data safe from hackers this Cyber Monday

New research reveals that nearly half (49%) of UK adults have not installed or didn’t know whether their mobile phone has security software. So keeping personal data safe from hackers has never been more important. 

In the wrong hands, stolen data can be used by hackers for illegal activity such as applying for loans or credit cards under a victim’s name, or bank accounts being accessed and money withdrawn.  

To help keep data safe, leading insurance provider, Insurance2go, shares five ways mobile phone users can help to protect personal data stored on their device.

  1. Be cautious of public Wi-Fi 

Using public Wi-Fi is great for those who have a low data allowance, or are running out of mobile data. However, public networks often don’t provide a secure connection, making it easy for hackers to use them to access personal data.  

Hackers targeting public Wi-Fi hotspots are able to use what is known as a ‘man-in-the-middle’ attack, which is when a hacker intercepts financial information, passwords and log-in information through a public network.  

Always avoid using mobile banking apps or making online purchases whilst logged onto a public Wi-Fi network. For those who do need to use public Wi-Fi, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) app. A VPN can protect data from getting into the wrong hands by encrypting online data and keeping personal information secure when using a public Wi-Fi connection.  

  1. Turn off ‘sharing’ settings when not in use 

Smartphone features that share a location should be used with caution and always turned off when not in use. Features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, location services, mobile data and Near Field Communication (NFC) are susceptible to hacking, especially Bluetooth location services as they transmit a device’s location and presence. 

Hackers can easily get hold of personal information and data through features that mark a phone as ‘visible’, so always make sure to disable such features when they are not needed. 

  1. Only download legitimate apps 

Downloading illegitimate apps is another way to open your personal data up to hackers. Often, apps hosted on some websites or third-party app stores can contain malware and can access data once downloaded. It’s recommended that users only download apps from the official app stores, so App Store for iOS users, Google Play for Android users or the AppGallery for Huawei owners. 

  1. Be wary of app permissions 

When an app is first downloaded, it often asks for ‘permission’ to access certain features or information held on a mobile phone. From the camera roll, to your speaker, location or phone contact list, apps can ask for a range of permissions in order for certain functions to work.  

Be cautious of what information an app is requesting access to and question whether the app actually needs that information. For example, a photo editing app doesn’t need contact list information in order to function correctly, so take the time to properly think about whether or not that information is needed. 

Viral video app, TikTok, recently came under fire for security issues in the US, with reports claiming that the Pentagon warned U.S. military personnel in January to delete TikTok from their phones and India, last month, banned Tik-Tok amongst other apps, over security and privacy concerns so it’s always important to review what permissions are being asked for by an app. 

  1. Avoid using auto-login 

Whilst it’s recommended to have a variety of passwords for online accounts rather than the same password, auto-login gives hackers easy access to personal data by simply opening up an app or webpage. For those likely to forget multiple passwords, note them down in a secure, password protected note on a phone, or in a notebook that is kept secure and stored away. 

And it’s not just using your mobile phone that can open your personal data up to hackers. What happens if your mobile phone is lost or stolen? Insurance2go  shares some useful tips for people who might find themselves in this scenario and want to keep their personal data safe: 

  1. Firstly, report the phone as missing to the network provider, who can suspend or disconnect the service to the phone. This can help stop any authorised use of the phone if it falls into the wrong hands. 
  1. If the mobile phone is known to be stolen, inform the police who will be able to provide a crime number, which can be used if the user needs to inform an insurance provider.    
  1. Most smartphones now have a built in ‘kill switch’, which can allow a user to remotely deactivate a device if it’s lost or stolen. In order to work, the feature needs to be enabled. For iPhone users, the ‘Activation Lock’ can be enabled within the‘Find My’ app to help keep data safe. Firstly, go to the‘Find My’app > Tap thedevices tab and choose which device is lost or stolen, then tap Activate under ‘Mark as Lost’and follow the prompts on screen. Android users can enable the kill switch with ‘Find My Device’. Go to Settings >Google>Security, then turn on ‘Remotely locate this device’and ‘Allow remote lock and erase’. 
  1. Finally, immediately change passwords for any accounts or apps that can be accessed on the mobile phone. Prioritise any important accounts first, such as online banking and other associated accounts. 

Richard Gray, Head of Marketing and Digital, at Insurance2go said: “Our mobile phones are home to lots of stored data and without correctly protecting your personal information, it could easily land in the wrong hands. 

“‘SIM-jacking’ is a common method where hackers are able to use stolen data to obtain a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC). This can then be used to switch the victim’s phone number to another phone on another network, helping them gain access to a range of personal data and information, often including banking details. 

“Protecting data stored on a mobile phone is extremely important. Hackers are often creating new ways to get a hold of our data, so we hope that by sharing our tips, we can help people avoid getting caught out by fraudsters.” 

To find out more about VPNs and how to protect data whilst on a public Wi-Fi, please visit: https://www.Insurance2go .co.uk/about/news-blog/blog/everything-you-ve-ever-wanted-to-know-about-vpns 

How secure is your password?

  • National Cyber Security Centre’s (CSC’s) first ‘UK Cyber Survey’ shows 42% of Brits expect to lose money to online fraud
  • Breach analysis finds 23.2 million victim accounts worldwide used 123456 as password
  • Global password risk list published to disclose passwords already known to hackers
  • NCSC urges using 3 random words as passwords on the eve of CYBERUK 2019 event

Continue reading How secure is your password?