Eye-opening Insights from the 2023 Annual Cybersecurity Attitudes and Behaviours Report

Tanya Wetson-Catt • 16 April 2024

We are living in an era dominated by digital connectivity. You can't overstate the importance of cybersecurity. As technology advances, so do the threats that lurk in the online world.


Often, it’s our own actions that leave us most at risk of a cyberattack or online scam. Risky behaviours include weak passwords and lax security policies. As well as thinking “This won’t happen to me.” This is why human error is the cause of approximately 88% of data breaches.


The National Cybersecurity Alliance and CybSafe are working to correct poor cyber hygiene. Each year, the duo publishes a report on cybersecurity attitudes and behaviours. The goal is to educate both people and businesses. To educate them on how to better secure their digital landscapes.


This year’s study surveyed over 6,000 people across the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Germany, France, and New Zealand. The survey asked about several things. These include knowledge of cybersecurity risks, security best practices, and challenges faced.


The report reveals some eye-opening insights. These include how people perceive and respond to cyber threats as well as what they can do to improve their cybersecurity posture. Here are some of the key findings from the report.


We Are Online… a Lot


It’s no surprise that 93% of the study participants are online daily. The logins we create continue to expand, as well as those considered “sensitive.” Sensitive accounts hold personal information that could be harmful if stolen.


Nearly half (47%) of the study’s respondents have ten or more sensitive online accounts. This amplifies risk. Especially if people are using the same password for two or more of those accounts.


Online Security Makes People Frustrated


Most people (84%) feel that online security is a priority. But as many as 39% feel frustrated, and nearly the same amount intimidated. It can seem that you just can’t get ahead of the hackers. Just over half of people thought digital security was under their control. That leaves a whole lot that don’t think so.


But that is no reason to let down your defences and become an easy target. There are best practices you can put in place to safeguard your online accounts that work.

These include:


  • Enabling multi-factor authentication on your accounts
  • Using an email spam filter to catch phishing emails
  • Adding a DNS filter to block malicious websites
  • Using strong password best practices


People Need More Access to Cybersecurity Training


One way to reduce human errors associated with cybersecurity is to train people. The survey found that just 26% of respondents had access to cybersecurity training. 


It also broke this down by employment status. We see that those not actively employed are most lacking. Even those employed can use more training access and encouragement. Just 53% report having access to cybersecurity awareness training and using it.


Employers can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to a data breach. They can do this by beefing up their security awareness training. There is also a large opportunity to provide more training. Particularly to those retired or not actively employed.


Cybercrime Reporting Is Increasing


Over a quarter (27%) of survey participants said they had been a victim of cybercrime.

The types of cybercrimes reported include:


  • Phishing (47%)
  • Online dating scams (27%)
  • Identity theft (26%)


Which generation reported the most cybercrime incidents? Millennials. In fact, Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation reported the fewest.


No matter where you fall in the generations, it’s important to adopt security best practices. We’ll go through some of these next.


Online Security Best Practices to Reduce Your Risk


1.Strong, Unique Passwords:


  • Start with the basics. Create strong, unique passwords for each online account.
  • Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters


2.Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):


  • Enhance your account security with multi-factor authentication.
  • MFA adds an extra barrier to unauthorized access. Even for compromised passwords.


3. Regular Software Updates:


  • Keep all your software, including operating systems and mobile apps, up to date.


4. Beware of Phishing Attacks:


  • Exercise caution when clicking on links or opening attachments. Especially in emails from unknown sources.
  • Verify the legitimacy of emails and websites. Check for subtle signs, such as misspelled URLs or unfamiliar sender addresses.


5. Use Secure Wi-Fi Networks:


  • Ensure you connect to a secure and password-protected Wi-Fi network.
  • Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions. Unless using a virtual private network (VPN).


6. Data Backup:


  • Regularly back up important data to an external device or a secure cloud service.


7. Use Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software:


  • Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software on all devices.
  • Regularly scan your systems for potential threats.


8. Be Mindful of Social Media Settings:


  • Review and adjust your privacy settings on social media platforms.
  • Limit the amount of personal information visible to the public.


9. Secure Your Personal Devices:


  • Lock your devices with strong passwords or biometric authentication.


10. Educate and Stay Informed:


  • Educate yourself and your team through cybersecurity awareness programs. This fosters a culture of vigilance and preparedness.


Schedule Cybersecurity Awareness Training Today


A little education on cybersecurity goes a long way toward protecting your data. Our experts can provide security training at the level you need. We’ll help you fortify your defenses against phishing, scams, and cyberattacks.


Contact us today to schedule a chat.

Let's Talk Tech

More from our blog

Best Practices for Secure Data Backup

by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 21 February 2025
These days, everything is digital. We deal with data every day: from personal photos to work files that hold a lot of value. What happens if you lose that? Well, this is the reason behind doing secure backups of data. Let’s go through some best practices to keep your data safe and secure. What is Data Backup? Data backup refers to the creation of a copy of your data. The copy can be used in the event of loss or destruction of the original data. Backups can be stored on various devices, such as external hard drives, or in the cloud. Having a backup ensures you don’t lose important information. Why Is Secure Backup Important? Backing up will save your data from being lost forever. Sometimes computers crash, or get viruses. Other times, you may delete some important files accidentally. If you do not have a backup, then you could lose everything. Backing up your data keeps it safe from these problems. How Often Should You Back Up Your Data? Backing up your data is very important and should be done regularly. Some people back up their data every day, while others do it on a weekly basis. It depends on how often your data changes. If you have important files that change daily, then you should back them up every day. Regular backups mean you will always have the latest version of your files. What Are The Different Types of Backups? There are several types of backups you can use: Full Backup A full backup copies all your data. It takes more time and space but is very thorough. Incremental Backup An incremental backup only copies new or changed files since the last backup. It saves time and space. Differential Backup A differential backup copies all changes made since the last full backup. It’s faster than a full backup but takes more space than an incremental one. Where to Store Your Backups? The place of storage for your backups is an important consideration: External Hard Drives These are physical devices you can store at home or at work. It’s convenient, but they can get lost or damaged. Cloud Storage It keeps your backups online, so it is safe from any form of physical damage. It’s also easily accessible from any location. Offsite Storage Offsite storage means keeping backups in a different location than your main data. This protects against theft or natural disasters. How Can You Ensure Your Backups Are Secure? Keeping your backups secure is as important as making them: Use Encryption Encryption scrambles your data so only you can read it. This keeps it safe from hackers. Set Strong Passwords Use strong passwords for all your backup accounts and devices. This prevents unauthorised access. Regularly Test Your Backups Testing ensures that your backups work properly. Try restoring a file to make sure everything is correct. What Tools Can Help With Data Backup? Many tools can help automate and manage backups: Backup Software Backup software can schedule and perform backups automatically. This makes it easier to keep up with regular backups. Cloud Services Many cloud services include automatic backups in their package. They provide extra security features too. What Should You Avoid In Data Backup? Here are some of the common mistakes to avoid while backing up your data: Not Having Multiple Copies Always have more than one copy of your backup in different places. Ignoring Security Updates Keep all backup software and devices updated to protect against new threats. How Can You Make A Backup Plan? Creating a backup plan helps you get organised by: Determining what data should be backed up. Frequency of backups. Where the backups will be located. Reminders to test regularly. Take Action To Protect Your Data Today! Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your data. Start backing up today! Secure your important files by following these best practices for data backup. If you need help setting up a secure backup system, contact us today!

Can Password Managers Be Hacked?

by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 17 February 2025
Password managers keep our online accounts safe. They store all our passwords in one place. But are they hackable? What are Password Managers? Password managers are like digital vaults: they save all your passwords inside themselves. You need only remember one master password, of course. This makes keeping a lot of accounts much easier to handle. How Do They Work? You make one main password. The manager scrambles your passwords. What this means is, it changes them into an unreadable format without a key. Why Use Them? People use password managers out of convenience and security. One single factor is the difficulty in remembering several strong passwords. A password manager allows you to generate and securely store all these. Can Password Managers be Hacked? They always hunt for ways to steal your information. However, breaking into a password manager is not easy. Security Measures Password managers use very strong encryption. This makes them barely readable by hackers. They are also using two-factor authentication-2FA. The addition of this adds a layer of security. No system is perfect. If a hacker gets your master password, then they can access your vault. A few managers have had security issues in the past, but these are rare. How Can You Protect Your Password Manager? You can take steps to keep your password manager safe. Choose a Strong Master Password Make your master password long and unique. Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Enable Two-Factor Authentication 2FA adds a layer of security. Even if someone knows your password, they need another code to log in. Keep Software Up-to-Date Always update your password manager. Updates fix security issues and keep your data safe. What Happens If a Password Manager Gets Hacked? If a password manager gets hacked, it can be serious. Hackers could access all your passwords. Immediate Actions Change your master password immediately. Decide which accounts could be affected and change their passwords as well. Long-Term Solutions Consider shifting to another password manager if it has been compromised anytime earlier. Keep up to date with any security news about your manager. Is the Use of Password Managers Worth the Risks? Despite the risks, many people still use password managers. They make managing passwords much easier. It’s also safer than trying to remember them all yourself. Benefits Outweigh Risks The benefits of using a password manager usually outweigh the risks. They help you create strong, unique passwords for each account. Trustworthy Options Choose a reputable password manager with good reviews and security features. Do some research before deciding which one to use. Take Control of Your Online Security Today! Using a password manager will go a long way in enhancing your online security. Remember to choose a strong master password. You should also use two-factor authentication and keep your software updated.  If you have any questions or need help in the selection of a password manager, contact us today!

Ultimate Guide to Encryption Methods

by Tanya Wetson-Catt • 14 February 2025
Encryption is a method of securing information. It converts readable data into secret code. Only the right key can decode it. This guide will help you understand different encryption methods. What is Encryption? Encryption is like a secret language. It converts regular text into unreadable text. This unreadable text is called ciphertext. Only people who have the right key will be able to convert it into normal text, called plaintext. Why Do We Use Encryption? We use encryption to keep our information safe. It makes our data safe from hackers. This is very important for privacy and security. How does Encryption Work? Encryption uses algorithms and keys. An algorithm is a set of rules for solving problems. A key is somewhat like a password that unlocks the secret message. Symmetric vs Asymmetric Encryption There are two main types of encryption: symmetric and asymmetric. Symmetric encryption uses the same key for encryption and decryption. The same key is shared between the sender and receiver. It’s fast but less secure when the key is shared. Asymmetric encryption uses two keys: a public key and a private key. A public key can encrypt a message, while a private key can decrypt it. It’s more secure since only the private key unlocks the message. What Are Some Common Encryption Methods? There are numerous encryption methods in use today. Here are some of the most common ones: AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) AES is one of the most secure forms of encryption. It is symmetric encryption. AES can have 128, 192, or 256-bit keys. The longer the key, the harder it is to break. RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) RSA is an asymmetric encryption method. It uses two keys: a public and a private key. RSA is widely used for secure data transmission. DES (Data Encryption Standard) DES was once a popular symmetric encryption method. It uses a 56-bit key, which is now considered weak. DES has mostly been replaced by AES. ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) ECC is an asymmetric technique that offers better security and more compact key sizes. It is efficient and widely adopted in various mobile gadgets. How Do We Use Encryption in Everyday Life? Encryption plays a major role in our daily life routines. Online Shopping When you purchase online, your payment information is encrypted. This protects your credit card information against hackers. Messaging Apps Apps like WhatsApp use encryption to keep your messages private. Only you and the person you are chatting with can read them. Email Security Many email services use encryption to protect your emails from being read by others. What Are the Challenges of Encryption? Encryption has many benefits, but it also faces challenges. Key Management Managing keys securely is a challenge. If some person loses their key, they probably will lose their data. Performance Issues Encryption could slow down the systems since it needs processing power for encryption and decryption. How Can You Stay Safe with Encryption? You can take some steps to securely use encryption. Use Strong Passwords Always use strong passwords for accounts and devices. That will make hacking difficult as it will take time to access. Keep Software Up-to-Date Regularly update your software to protect against security vulnerabilities in software. Use Caution with Public Wi-Fi If you need to use public Wi-Fi, avoid sensitive transactions unless you can encrypt your internet connection using a VPN. Ready to Secure Your Data? Encryption helps protect your personal information from threats. Understanding different methods can help you choose the right one for your needs.  If you want more information or need help securing your data, contact us today!
Share by: