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The Human Factor: 5 Security Blunders People Keep Making

  • The Human Factor: 5 Security Blunders People Keep Making-

    Using the Same Password for Work and Personal Accounts

    Using separate, strong passwords for work and non-work is such a pain. The only bigger pain is when passwords are stolen, leading to other people using your accounts without your knowledge to steal sensitive data. For example, the massive breach at Target began when someone stole the credentials of an HVAC contractor. At Home Depot, attackers used a vendor's username and password to steal credit card details for 56 million people. A Verizon Data Breach Report found that a staggering 76 percent of network intrusions began with stolen credentials. We've all been warned about password safety, but apparently some people aren't listening!

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The Human Factor: 5 Security Blunders People Keep Making

  • 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
  • The Human Factor: 5 Security Blunders People Keep Making-4

    Using the Same Password for Work and Personal Accounts

    Using separate, strong passwords for work and non-work is such a pain. The only bigger pain is when passwords are stolen, leading to other people using your accounts without your knowledge to steal sensitive data. For example, the massive breach at Target began when someone stole the credentials of an HVAC contractor. At Home Depot, attackers used a vendor's username and password to steal credit card details for 56 million people. A Verizon Data Breach Report found that a staggering 76 percent of network intrusions began with stolen credentials. We've all been warned about password safety, but apparently some people aren't listening!

Much of today's security news is about the latest hacks by cyber criminals, and how they exploited some obscure software vulnerability to break into systems and wreak havoc.

But often a breach will start with something more mundane. Ever since people started sending emails and using the Internet, they have been making the same careless mistakes that leave sensitive information and the business at risk. Sure people are under pressure, they're in a hurry, and they need to get the job done, but sometimes they let their guard down.

No matter how much you nag people, plead with them and warn them, these mistakes and risky behaviors never seem to end. In this slideshow, Daren Glenister, field chief technology officer, Intralinks, has identified five all-too-common mistakes users need to be careful to avoid.