It’s that time of the year again. Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which occurs every October, is an important annual event where government and industry leaders work together to increase awareness of cybersecurity best practices.
This time last year, organizations and consumers were scrambling to adjust to the new everything-from-home realities ushered in by the COVID-19 pandemic. Companies were accelerating their digital transformations as they initiated remote work on a massive scale. Consumers were shifting their entire lives online, from shopping and entertainment to working and studying. With both people and businesses having larger online footprints than ever before, cybercriminals had significantly more possible attack vectors.
A year later, we’re not scrambling quite as much, but some things have remained consistent. Cyber attacks are still steadily increasing in frequency, sophistication, and cost, and passwords remain our biggest cyber vulnerability. Compromised passwords are responsible for over 80% of data breaches, and about 75% of ransomware attacks.
Faceless cybercriminals aren’t the only people you need to worry about stealing your password. A new study reveals that about one in five people have tried to guess their boss’ and co-workers’ passwords, using information they knew personally about the individual, as well as data gleaned from social media profiles and even by sneaking a peek at their HR files. Unfortunately, they’ve got a good chance of guessing correctly. About 37% of U.S. workers admit to having used their employer’s name in a work-related password, 34% have used their significant other’s name or birthday, and 31% have used their child’s name or birthday.
Learn More About Password Security in Keeper’s Cyber threat Resource Center
Why do people keep using weak, easily guessed passwords? In most cases, it’s because they simply don’t realize how risky their behavior is.
In an effort to educate consumers and organizations to #BeCyberSmart, Keeper is proud to announce the launch of our new cyber threat resource center. This one-stop resource center features informative articles and detailed guides on the most prevalent cyber threats facing consumers and organizations today, and why securing their passwords is the best defense against them.
Additionally, throughout the month of October, Keeper will be sharing tips and education on social media and will be hosting a series of live stream interviews with global cybersecurity experts and thought leaders on LinkedIn, which will cover:
- How ecommerce retailers can prepare for the upcoming holiday shopping season
- How the public sector can execute cybersecurity policy and mandates
- The cybersecurity implications of social media
Learn More About Ransomware Prevention During Our Free Webinar
2021 was the Year of Ransomware, and Keeper’s 2021 Ransomware Impact Report found that organizations need to do a lot of work around educating employees about the threat of ransomware and what they can do to reduce their employers’ risk. (For one thing, nearly one-third of employees never hear the word “ransomware” until their employer is attacked!)
Join Keeper CEO and Co-Founder Darren Guccione and global cybersecurity expert Dr. Eric Cole at 2:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, as they dissect the results of the Keeper Ransomware Impact Report and unveil proactive steps that IT and business leaders can take to prevent their organizations from falling victim.
Can’t make the live event? No problem! Register anyway and we’ll send you the recording, plus a free copy of the 2021 Ransomware Impact Report!
Make sure to follow Keeper on social media for more details about our live streams and all of our other Cybersecurity Awareness Month content and education, and use the hashtag #BeCyberSmart!
Not a Keeper customer yet? Sign up for a 14-day free trial! Want to find out more about how Keeper can help your organization prevent security breaches? Reach out to our team today.