Lee Rainie, director of internet, science and technology research at Pew Research Center, presented the Center’s findings about public practices and knowledge related to cybersecurity to the advisory board of the National Cybersecurity Alliance on May 5, 2017. He discussed the wide variance in what the public knows about key cybersecurity issues and concepts and people’s habits when it comes to handling the passwords to their online accounts and their use of public Wi-Fi networks.

1. The public and cybersecurity
practices and knowledge
Lee Rainie - @lrainie
Director Internet, Science, and Technology Research
Cybersecurity Alliance - May 5, 2017

3. A big problem
41
35
16
15
14
13
6
64
Noticed fraudulent charges on their credit card
Received a notice that personal information had been
compromised
Had their social media account taken over without
permission
Had their email account taken over without permission
Received notice their social security number was compromised
Had a loan or line of credit taken out in their name
Had a tax refund taken out in their name
Any of these

4. How confident these entities can protect your data?

5. How people keep track of their passwords

6. Not best practices
• 41% of online adults have shared the password to one
of their online accounts with a friend or family member.
• 39% say that they use the same (or very similar)
passwords for many of their online accounts.
• 25% admit that they often use passwords that are less
secure than they’d like, because simpler passwords are
easier to remember than more complex ones.
• 28% of smartphone owners do not use screen locks
• 54% use public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive activities
like e-commerce and banking

7. Will cyberattacks happen in the next 5 years?

8. Knowledge – Tier 1

9. Knowledge – Tier 2
Incorrect Correct Not sure

10. Knowledge – Tier 3
Incorrect Correct Not sure

11. Knowledge – Tier 4
Incorrect Correct Not sure

12. Demographics
• Broad differences in knowledge by educational
attainment, especially concerning gap between
those who ended education at high school and those
who have college+ degrees
• Modest differences in knowledge by age
• Private browsing
• GPS function
• Multi-factor authentication
• Botnet
• Public Wi-Fi not always safe

13. Amen!