The times they are a-changin’

Our online identities have become just as important as our real ones, which seemed unbelievable around 30 years ago. Everything is online: our jobs, finances, social lives. However, staying safe on the internet is becoming increasingly challenging for those of us who didn't have online access growing up. Cybersecurity is a lifelong learning process that shouldn’t be overlooked in the digital age.

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Mythbusting

Debunking the 6 most common cybersecurity myths.

I’m not interesting to hackers

We tend to believe that hackers target only “important” people or large corporations. Our research shows that a fifth of adults aged 55 or older feel safe enough from being hacked. This is an alarming trend, knowing that a hacking attack occurs every 39 seconds. Hackers hardly ever have a preference when it comes to the victim. As long as they can get their hands on your credit card data, Social Security number, or other valuable information, they’ll be more than happy to carry out an attack.

Realizing that no one is safe from cyber attacks means you are on the right track in protecting your online identity.

No need to change passwords

Password management is becoming a challenge, with the average internet user having around 70-80 passwords. However, only 34% respondents in our survey change their passwords regularly. The rest of us believe that there’s no need to regularly change passwords, and this is alarming. If your password is ever leaked, it will most likely appear in a breached database, which hackers love.

This could happen while you’re trying to reach your kids on an offbeat social media network or making a purchase on a suspicious-looking online store.

Passwords on sticky notes are safe

Our survey revealed that an alarming 57% of people aged 55 or older write down their passwords on a piece of paper. It might seem like a reasonable way to store your passwords, but there are a few risks involved. The first has to do with where you decide to store that sticky note. Leaving it on your desk is a security risk, as it would be easily accessible to pretty much anyone. There’s also the chance of losing that piece of paper or forgetting about it altogether. Happens to the best of us. And then you might also misspell it — a very human thing to happen.

Your best bet to keep your passwords secure and organized is using a password manager such as NordPass.

Reusing passwords is not that bad

Put simply, reusing a password across different platforms poses a looming threat — one that could escalate quickly if a hacker compromised only one of your online accounts. Having stolen a reused password, the hacker could break into your other accounts and have unadulterated access to your emails, banking accounts, and social media profiles. What’s alarming is that 38% of those of us who reuse passwords feel safe doing so.

Unique passwords for each account is the way to go if we wish to live a secure and stress-free online life. Sometimes coming up with those weird complex passwords is a struggle. Simplify the task with a Password Generator, which will come up with strong, complex passwords in seconds.

No one cares about my data

Hackers and cybercrooks rarely target any particular individuals. In most instances, they don’t care who you are, what you do, or where you’re from. All they care about is your data, which includes your Social Security number, email address, passwords, and physical address. They seek such information hoping to monetize it. Too often we overlook the importance of our data and struggle to realize all the nefarious ways it can be used.

That’s why it’s always a good idea to check whether any of your sensitive information has ever appeared in a data leak.

Sharing passwords via email is safe

A study we conducted unveiled that 11% of respondents between the ages 55 and 75 often need to share unprotected passwords via text messages, email, etc. Sure, an email is quick and convenient, especially when you want to pass on your Netflix password to your spouse. But it’s also risky. If a hacker intercepted the email, the password it contained would be out in the open.

There’s another way to share passwords, which is secure and easy. With a password manager like NordPass, you won’t ever have to fear exposing your passwords to hackers.

Are you a cybersecurity pro? Put your skills to the test.

People are often confident about their cybersecurity practices. How about you? Take a quick quiz and put your knowledge to the test. Find out if you’re protecting your online identity the right way.

How important are passwords?

More seniors than ever before explore the world wide web. Many fall behind when it comes to passwords and password protection. But with just a little help and education, they can enjoy a secure online experience.Watch the interview with an expertvideo link

Boost your digital security

Passwords are our first line of defense, yet many of us still struggle to protect them properly. With cybercriminal activity on the rise, it is now more important than ever to understand what cybersecurity is, how it works, and that it is a lifelong learning experience. The easiest way to ensure that your passwords are safely stored in a single place is by using a password manager like NordPass. In addition to an encrypted vault, password managers often offer more useful security features. For example, with NordPass, you can autofill and autosave passwords with just a few clicks as you browse. You can also use Data Breach Scanner to find out if your data has appeared in a data breach, or identify weak spots in your passwords with the Password Health tool. In a world where online identity is just as important as the physical one, a password manager is a must-have tool.

Discuss it with your family members

Cybersecurity is a family matter as much as it is a personal one. Share tips and tricks, help each other understand why cybersecurity is important and how you can get better at it. Also, consider NordPass Family, our subscription plan designed to meet the password needs of the modern-day family. According to our survey 24% of people need to share passwords within a family or work settings. With a Family plan, you get 5 NordPass Premium accounts — one for you and 4 for your family members. Each family member gets a separate encrypted vault and all the other Premium features, such as secure password sharing, multiple-device access, Data Breach Scanner, Password Health, and a Password Generator.

It’s never too late to protect your family with NordPass.

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