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Survey: Nearly Half of U.S. Adults Experienced a Data Breach in the Past Three Years

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, an annual, national observance to raise awareness for online security. This is a relevant topic today, as every day it seems like a new data breach makes headlines. From government organizations to big-name corporations, everyone is a target of cybercrime. Most of us have probably been a victim or know someone who has been impacted.

Unsurprisingly, as cybercrime increases, Americans’ trust in their own online safety wanes. According to a new survey by the University of Phoenix, 43 percent of U.S. adults have been the victim of a data breach within the past three years. Among those who have been affected, 51 percent said that they were hacked once, and 30 percent indicated that they were hacked twice. As a result, 43 percent of people surveyed feel less secure today than a year ago while 17 percent feel more secure.[1]

We live in a time when data is currency. Nearly half of the world’s population is online, and the estimated number of IoT devices talking to each other and sharing information is now expected to be 7 billion. Nearly all of our personal information lives online somewhere, creating a digital footprint akin to tattooing our information on our forehead for everyone to see.

This connectedness can be positive. It helps us learn and share new information at lightning speed. We can connect anywhere in the world, while devices improve how we operate and in many cases change our lives for the better. However, with convenience often comes increased risk through lack of vigilance. Sharing information can make our lives easier, but it also allows us to let down our guard, opening us up to vulnerabilities.

The survey found that U.S. adults have a few “bad online habits” that could be (Read more...)