Majority of Internet Users Have Experienced Banking Fraud but Still Don't Like Online Security Measures, Poll

NEW YORK, July 14, 2018 (Newswire.com) - ​NordVPN, a VPN service provider, believes that Internet users are not careful about their security and passwords, and need to be educated about simple measures to stay safe online.

In support of this theory, researchers of analytics software firm FICO found that majority of Internet users are annoyed with web and phone security measures. Out of 2,000 polled adults, 81% don’t see the need for what they call unnecessary security procedures. 64% of the respondents are not happy about the need for elaborate passwords featuring a mix of numbers, symbols, and capital letters. Overall, more than two-thirds of people (71%) think there are too many security measures nowadays, and 58% are irritated about having to remember email addresses to recover passwords. 78% said they struggle to keep track of all their passwords.

“It’s important to provide consumers with smooth, easy customer experience, but at the same time, people need to be educated that security measures are necessary,” said Marty P. Kamden, CMO of NordVPN, a VPN service provider. “Hacking, ransomware, and phishing are on a historical rise all over the world. People need to use strong passwords and take precautions when going online. However, there are ways to make this easier - for example, by using a password manager." 

More than half of the respondents (55%) said they had been victims of banking fraud.

NordVPN offers easy online security tips to make it easier for consumers to deal with all the security measures while keeping them safe online.

1. Using a password manager. Perhaps the most basic requirement for any online account setup is using strong passwords and choosing different passwords for different accounts. Weak passwords make it simple for hackers to break into an account. A strong password has a minimum of 12 characters and includes a strong mix of letters, numbers, and characters. In order to easily track all your passwords, it’s recommended to use a password manager, such as truekey.com, LastPass, and 1Password.

2. Installing the latest security updates. Security updates often contain patches for recent vulnerabilities, which hackers are looking to exploit. It takes just a few minutes, and the update lasts more than a month.

3. Not opening any suspicious emails. Users should delete dubious emails from their bank, ISP, credit card company, etc. One should never click on any strange links or attachments in emails and never give one's personal details if asked via email. 

4. Backing up all data. Users should back up their data on an alternate device and keep it unplugged and stored away. Backing up data regularly is the best way to protect oneself from ransomware, because only unique information is valuable. It’s an easy and fast process with a long-term impact.

5. Using a VPN for additional safety. Using a VPN when browsing can protect Internet users against malware that targets online access points. That’s especially relevant when using a public hotspot. However, people should keep in mind that a VPN cannot protect them from downloading malware. While a VPN encrypts one's activity online, users should be careful when downloading and opening certain files or links.

5. Closing pop-up windows safely. Ransomware developers often use pop-up windows that warn of some kind of malware. Users should not click on the window - instead, close it with a keyboard command or by clicking on their taskbar.

7. Using anti-virus programs. Internet users should make sure they have installed one of the latest reputable anti-virus programs to make sure they are fully protected.

To find out more about NordVPN, please visit the website. 

Source: NordVPN