A new survey from MasterCard reveals the naked truth about digital privacy: Fifty-five percent of people would rather have nude photos of themselves leaked online than have their financial information stolen.
The survey of 1,000 adults was done in partnership with Braun Research in May and found that 77% are worried about their financial information and social security numbers being stolen or compromised. That worry surpasses concerns over having their emails hacked (62%) or having their homes robbed (59%). Perhaps most notable is that 55% would rather let the online world see them naked than reveal their PINs or Social Security numbers.
“Today's digital lifestyle means consumer concerns for online safety and security trumps physical security as a close second,” Robert Siciliano, an identity theft and personal security expert, said. “It's great that consumers have heightened awareness, but while they may understand personal responsibility they still want to feel protected by the institutions who are also responsible for protecting their data.”
In particular, 92% of the respondents said they take precautions to protect their financial information, but the survey also found that respondents are hanging onto compromising habits. Roughly half (46%) rarely or never change passwords to their online financial accounts, 44% use the same password for multiple online accounts and 39% have accessed their financial data online on public networks.
Millennials are least likely to think the risk of their financial information being stolen or compromised is going to increase in the next three years (45%), compared to 58% of Gen Xers and 61% of baby boomers, according to the study.
“Our survey reveals there's a sharp contrast between what people say or think they are doing to protect their information and what they actually do, but that's understandable – we're human,” Carolyn Balfany, senior vice president of U.S. product delivery – EMV for MasterCard, said.
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