Recent breaches force UK consumers to rethink online security

A new survey revealed that 47 per cent of consumers in the UK are being more active when it comes to online safety.

Password management firm DashLane conducted its ‘Restore Control’ survey, which suggested that 50 per cent of those who responded feel they spend too  much time on technology. Many are frustrated with web-based adverts (67 per cent), spam emails (62 per cent) and being forced to sign up to multiple accounts, with multiple passwords to remember.

However, the public at large does seem to be thinking more about online security – not unexpectedly, after the high-level breaches that occurred last year and the impact they had on consumers.

Close to half (47 per cent) of those surveyed are paying more attention to online safety, with 24 per cent expressing a greater degree of concern.

Dashlane’s European markets chief, Guillaume Desnoës, said in his statement that the internet plays a part in our daily lives with enhanced connectivity, IT consumerisation and lower access costs. He explained:

“The trend is set to continue with the advent of wearable devices and the Internet of Things. This is no bad thing – we created and have embraced this new way of living. But the deeper we go, the harder it is for us to maintain control.”

With consumers being more vigilant, the onus is on businesses to increase their own protection, with so much customer data being held by firms up and down the UK. By opening up information security jobs to cyber professionals, they will be taking a huge step forwards in protecting that data.