According to recent research findings Kaspersky Lab to the consumer, about half (42%) European Internet users admit sharing their codes with someone else or leaving them exposed to a common view where other people can see them. 
This demonstrates a lack of knowledge about the digital world and can facilitate unlocking online accounts and access for digital criminals.
When asked about the importance of passwords, it found that respondents were more likely to think that strong passwords are necessary for the online services they value most. So, according to European consumers, the sites for which strong passwords are considered necessary are: online banking sites (61%), email (42%) and social networking sites (20%). The list of the three most important apps was almost identical, with 60% saying that apps most needed strong passwords online banking, 38% for email and 21% for social networking sites.
Also, consumers believe that online shopping and payment apps require strong passwords, but do not rate the corresponding websites at the same level. Just 28% of European users consider online shopping to be an important service for them, although over a third (38%) consider a strong Password. Additionally, 34% agreed that online payment systems need a strong password, with slightly fewer (27%) rating these services as personally valuable.
More worrying is the fact that although consumers agree that online financial transactions require a strong password, 29% considers that there is no need for additional protection for their personal login when they use these services. They expect the sites that they shop for will provide them with all the protection they need.
Older ones risks arise for the personal information. Almost a third (31%) of European internet users admit to freely sharing their passwords with family members. 42% have shared and made passwords accessible to third parties. Also, one in ten (10%) Europeans share their passwords with friends and 5% with their colleagues. Also, with more than a third (38%) of consumers using just one email for all their needs, sharing their password with others could prove costly. If that code fell into the wrong hands, it could unlock all the information stored in that email.
"Consumers need to gain more insight and become more aware of passwords. Once they are shared, it is very difficult to know where they will end up. Our research shows that there is a really unrelated relationship between our perception of why we need strong passwords and the measures that users take to keep them safe. No one would expect a friend or family member to knowingly disclose a password, but by sharing codes, consumers are increasing the risk of these codes falling into the wrong hands. This could give digital criminals easy access to personal and financial information. Also, broken accounts can be used to distribute malicious ones link and files, damaging other people. At worst, whole identities could be jeopardized. Even the most complex password is weak if it is visible to others. That's why keep it for yourself! ", comments David Emm, Kaspersky Lab's Principal Security Researcher.
To help users maintain the integrity of their passwords, Kaspersky Password Manager (part of the Kaspersky Total Security - multi-device) provides an extra level of protection by safely storing all passwords and synchronizing them to all devices. The product remembers and generates powerful passwords and features auto logging capabilities for safer access to valuable applications, accounts, and web pages.
- The data comes from the survey "Consumer Security Risks 2015 (PDF)"And by an online specialist test.
