Using the same password for multiple devices?

We’re all profoundly aware, even to the point of dread, that fiddling with our passwords is, at the very least, unwise. So why do we keep neglecting password management so blindly? There are dozens of easily implementable solutions we can adopt right now and do away with a long-held, unnecessary stress, enjoying peace of mind knowing our credentials are protected.

Digital serenity starts with strong data protection; yet internet users engage in all sorts of risky practices. Stats are worrisome, particularly for younger generations. Despite 79% of Zoomers know that reusing the same credentials across more accounts is unsafe, only 7% can say they’ve broken the habit.

So, why are awareness levels at their height, but only on paper? Could it be ‘password fatigue’ that’s keeping people in this silent cycle and risking their financial, emotional, and personal lives?

We dive into one of the most curious cases of the digital age: why, despite knowing the risks, many keep jeopardising their digital peace of mind for reasons that go beyond forgetfulness or carelessness.

Awareness at its zenith

When it comes to awareness across generations, it’s perhaps understandable why youngsters are more familiar and aware of the importance of good password practices. They’ve never known a world without the internet, social media, apps, and online sites around, thus digital risks have become something similar to the risk of exposure to the scorching sun without SPF for the whole summer holiday.

As a norm, cybersecurity advice has always been there, from recommendations in news articles to TikTok explainers to workplace training sessions. Sometimes – and hopefully increasingly frequently – businesses adopt digital solutions such as providing each employee with a dedicated business email in order to secure data and mitigate risks that would otherwise arise from practices like storing passwords in notes, easily exposable and not at all concealed, at least from a good hacker’s POV.

GenX are lagging behind when it comes to authentication

While over 80% of Gen Z and Millennials say they’re likely to enable (multi factor authentication) MFA, only about one-third of Gen X say they use tools like password managers — showing MFA adoption still lags in that group. And although this is an indicator of how the younger generations approach digital safety, they’re still failing to change passwords when needed, or to use complex passwords. An intriguing paradox, right?

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Password fatigue – where the stress stems

How come the gap between awareness and action is alarmingly high? A possible reason is psychological, and it borders on the tiredness of stressing over passwords, aka password fatigue. There are high stress levels when it comes to creating, storing, and keeping credentials safe from predators, or from leaking. Many are willing to actually give up an account if accessing it means going through the reset process. While others are intentionally forgetting passwords, knowing that changing them is so easy – you usually give your phone number and receive a code.

Unlike Boomers, who may use fewer online apps and services, other generations juggle multiple digital accounts. According to the same Business Wire news article, 72% of Millennials and Zoomers have less than 25 distinct passwords, even though the number of accounts they hold can well exceed this figure.

The maths just doesn’t seem to make sense. Unless internet users use a password manager, reuse becomes difficult, if not impossible, to avoid.

Password sharing inertia

Another weakness among internet users is sharing passwords, whether over text messages, verbal exchanges, or screenshots, to name a few. Despite the availability of safe digital sharing tools, younger users often turn to shortcuts, with few really using secure sharing platforms. Part of this innocence may come from their collaborative digital habits, with individuals sharing the same accounts, thus credentials, across apps like Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, etc. It’s not just about money saving and convenience, but also a way to demonstrate trust among peers and socialize more.

What may seem heartwarming can unfortunately become a big vulnerability – smaller business accounts, for instance, are more appealing and targeted by cybercriminals than those of bigger companies. This reality proves that no matter how unimportant one deems their data to be, a cyberpunk out there will find it useful and desirable.

Being aware doesn’t mean taking action

Despite knowing better, every generation falls short on password hygiene, prompting reflection over the reasons that sustain bad habits. First, individuals aren’t willing to compromise on their convenience, not even for security. Notifications that a password has been involved in a data breach often fail to generate tangible consequences, reinforcing the perception that password threats aren’t truly that serious. Over time, this combo of convenience and a lack of immediate repercussions makes it easier for risky habits to hold on.

Repeated warnings and breach alerts themselves lead to users becoming desensitised and unmoved, creating apathy and security fatigue. Themes like these demonstrate that it’s less about ignorance, and more about psychology and habit.

What to hope for in the future

There’s a need to address how all generations approach password management, and it’s important to understand it in order to better protect your own digital life. Most parts are about how you regard your digital activity, so depending on which category you belong to, you may engage in one or another.

The idea of using stronger passwords is toast and can even add to tiredness when this is already a well-known fact among netizens. The focus – yours included – should better shift toward other practices, like using biometrics and passwordless authentication methods, securing credentials with password managers, and staying up to date with emerging solutions.