Don't believe a word about the world-weary, cynical ways of Londoners. When an independent research company this week approached 200 random people on the gold-paved streets of the capitol, 60 percent of them were prepared to divulge their PC's password. Can they all have just got off the train? From Norfolk? In the 1950s?
Admittedly, the stooges were incentivised. To the tune of five whole quid, in M&S voucher form. Five. Pounds. Does that still even get you a litre of petrol? Or a Mars Bar?
Perhaps the issue here is that the passwords were so weak they were worth exchanging for a sandwich (not just any sandwich, a £5, Marks and Spencer, rocket, unicorn and gold ciabatta). You see, 45 percent of respondents to the study (commissioned by Symantec) used either their birthday, mother's maiden name or the name of their pet as a password. The great flaming idiots. No-one could guess that, could they? Certainly no-one under the age of three months. Not unless they were human.
It gets weirder. I don't know who this independent research company was, but I suspect they may employ hypnotists (or rohypnol). Either way, don't let them buy you a drink. During the survey, a number of respondents were persuaded to explain how they remember their passwords, where they store it, and which websites they use for email, shopping and social networking. To a complete stranger. On the street.
Sadly, none of this should surprise. Unless it happens to you (or you are a thief) it's difficult to take the threat of identity theft seriously. But if we've learnt anything over the past few months it's surely this: banks are not run by geniuses. It takes remarkably little personal information to open a bank account. Or even to close one.
So please don't give it up for a fiver at M&S. At least hold out for something useful like an iTunes voucher.
Comments
The Norfolk Mardler said: Hi SamThats the Norfolk accent as spoken in that beautiful countyTo understand fully you have to be aware of the perceived peculiarities of Norfolk people an understanding of the Norfolk local dialect and an appreciation of ironic humour For example Me an Bob was havin a mardle about bishy bishy barnie bees uvver the gaarden fence when this ppollywiggle hossed by chased by a sukieMeaning Bob and I were having a chat about ladybirds over the garden fence when this newt rushed by pursued by a catMany more examples can be found here wwwliterarynorfolkcouknorfGo yew on bor edikate yerself -
Dragon said: Funny that Paul Urban All of my passwords are tooI dont use a password to lock my PC since my 14 year old PC Genius grandson hacked my PC for a laugh and changed the password Best bit was he forgot what the new password was On threat of being strung up he finally remembered and I no longer have it locked As I approach senility I am frightened that one day I will forget the dmned password If anyone wants to read my emails or my downloaded knitting patters or chicken ailment lists they are more than welcome My Debit card has a random number generator thing and my Bank Account has 2 different codes to access it All of my passwords web history is swept as I log off I dont think a hacker would find much of the rest interesting unless he has a red mite infestation
Paul Urban said: People always say that it is stupid to use your birthday mothers maiden name or pet as a password But the only people who would know these are people who know you And you would either let them have access to your pc anyway or if they were really that low to want to steal your id would you let them know your details in the first placeBy the way I dont use any of that info for my passwords my password is
Deba said: Of course they could have just lied and still got 5
Come With Me said: We know where you live sonBig deal
Penguinofdeath said: Dude u cant do a lot with a pc password
The watcher said: ABSOLOUTE MORONS