New Report: 2021 Psychology of Passwords

The pandemic shifted our routines in profound ways. From remote work to virtual school to an unprecedented volume of online shopping, the pandemic disrupted daily life and pushed us to do more on the web than ever before. In fact, 71% of people worked wholly or partly remotely over the past year, and 70% spent more time online for personal entertainment and work. Hackers responded, with an 11% increase in data breaches, of which 85% involved human vulnerabilities, according to the 2021 Verizon DBIR. So what impact has the increased time online and expanded cyber threats had on our collective cybersecurity habits? In our new report, Psychology of Passwords: Expanded Digital Lives and Password (Mis)behaviors, we dive into how people are thinking about online security in the age of COVID-19. The report breaks down:

• How the pandemic influenced online activity
• When people prioritize security - and when they don't
• The emotions driving cybersecurity behaviors
• How password (mis)behaviors impact the workplace
• Actions to take today to improve password security

Unfortunately, too many people are letting emotions drive dangerous password habits. 68% of people who reuse passwords do so because they're afraid of forgetting them, even though 79% of respondents agree that compromised passwords are troubling. Control is an important factor - 52% who reuse passwords want to control all their passwords and feel that using the same password everywhere is the only way to accomplish that.  Struggling to improve your password security? Our new report will help you understand what's behind your current risky behavior and how you can take immediate steps to fix your password (mis)behaviors. If you're an IT admin, our new data highlights the reality of employee password behaviors in the age of remote work. Understanding the human psychology driving dangerous password habits will help you tailor cybersecurity programs and technologies accordingly. Learn more about Psychology of Passwords: Expanded Digital Lives and Password (Mis)behaviors here.