Common passwords hinder email security

Contributed by Roumiana Deltcheva (Mardi, 21 décembre 2010) | Category : Email security

Users hinder data-leak prevention by failing to create varying passwords for their numerous online accounts, including email, according to the results of a new survey conducted by a security firm.

Twenty-six respondents admit to using the same password for email, online banking and social networking. This also includes company email accounts, putting a business' sensitive data at risk should one of a user's other accounts be hacked.

Users must be "aware of the importance of passwords and the fact that hackers are getting more and more sophisticated in cracking them," said Bari Abdul, a vice president of the company that conducted the research.

The survey also revealed 79 percent of users have personal information in their password. Eight percent say they copy passwords from online lists of "good passwords."

Twenty-two percent of respondents said their social media accounts have been hacked, while the same number said their email has been breached.

Companies are encouraged to train their employees in email best practices to ensure email security is as reliable as possible. Corporate email policies can outline specific guidelines for choosing the best password.