Computer Security A Second Thought, Survey Says
High-level security issues may be top of mind for most ITexecutives, but end-users don't necessarily share that sense
of urgency, according to a survey released yesterday by CMP
Media's Network Computing magazine and research company
Karlin Associates. The survey, the result of a poll of 726
attendees at the PC Expo conference in New York City over
the last two days, shows that most users have somewhat of a
relaxed attitude about security, especially when it comes to
password security basics such as selecting a password,
frequency of changing passwords, and using the same password
for different accounts.
* Half of the respondents rated themselves as "security
conscious" with regard to managing their personal accounts
on the Web, while only 18% considered themselves "vigilant"
about security.
* Almost two-thirds of respondents frequently use the same
password for multiple accounts; it's worse among those who
identified themselves as "security conscious"--almost three-
quarters.
* Almost half the respondents select passwords that are
classified as "worst" selections, such as familiar names and
dates.
* And while the vast majority of respondents change their
password on a regular basis, only 34% change passwords
monthly, which is the recommended frequency.
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