The AXA Partners Cyber Barometer 2019 has made the news!
A comparison between the 2018 and 2019 results shows that an ever-increasing number of Belgians admit to recycling their passwords or having access to someone else's Facebook account. ‘While the number of cybercrime incidents continues to increase, Belgians seem to be less and less concerned about it’, explains Hanne Vandecapelle, Value Proposition Manager Cyber at AXA Partners.
Half of Belgians recycle passwords
The 2019 Cyber Barometer shows that compared to 2018, fewer Belgians (-3%) come up with a completely new password for each account that is not inspired by his or her previous one. ’Recycling passwords definitely not a good idea. You need to memorize less, but you also make it much easier for hackers. After all, if your data is hacked on one site, cyber criminals then attempt using the same data on others.’
One in three Belgians can log in to someone else's Facebook account
Personal data is information that you do not want to share with a complete stranger. Yet that is exactly what more than one in ten Belgian Facebook users (12%) do, by keeping their profile fully public. Only 19% have a profile with access restricted to friends and friends of friends. Another striking point – 5% have no idea who has access to view their Facebook profile.
Tips to increase your online security and privacy
Social media and online shopping are just a couple of the things you can do on the internet. But how can you best avoid the dangers that come with this?
Never recycle passwords.
It is certainly more advisable to use different passwords for accounts such as e-mail, social media and banking that have access to your payment details or personal information.
Use a passphrase.
The longer and/or more complex your password, the more secure. A mix of upper case and lowercase letters and special characters is the safest option.
Your mailbox is sacred.
Many services offer a "forgotten your password?" option, which then allows you to set a new password through your mailbox. A unique password for your mailbox is a good start, but it can also be more useful to use "2-step authentication". After entering your password, a security code is also sent via text message or an app on your smartphone.
Report unwanted photos.
Several social media outlets provide users with a number of ways to report images and videos that they believe are violating their privacy.
Don't accept friend requests from people you don't know.
You wouldn't share your holiday photos with a total stranger you meet on the street, would you?
Our Cyber Barometer appeared in the following Dutch magazines/newspapers:
