Nearly 9 out of 10 web users have searched for password hacking methods online, according to a recent BitDefender survey. I'll let that sink in for a moment, but here's why we all need to take notice of statistics like this.
Let's face it, nothing ruins your day faster than having your online privacy breached. Here at Axiom, we've had our Twitter profile hacked, and I personally have had my credit card information stolen. Neither situation was fun to deal with, and both required an overhaul to how I/we set up passwords.
But before you start hyperventilating over the thought of millions of hackers trying to steal your online identity, we need to look at why so many people are apparently interested in password hacking. The answer seems to center on love and relationships.
The survey found that 72% of respondents had wanted to read their significant other’s personal messages. And if you think that ending the relationship would solve your privacy issue, you'd be wrong, because 64% of potential password stealers had thought about exacting some online revenge by changing passwords or information in their ex-boy/girlfriend’s social network account.
So with all of us moving more and more facets of our lives online, the risk of being hacked is obviously going to go up. However, your biggest threat probably isn't some professional hacker with the latest code-breaking program, but the people you already love and trust. I guess Nietzsche had it right when he said, "there is always some madness in love."
