American households have a false sense of online security

One in five American households was impacted by a data breach in the last year, yet 40 percent failed to properly secure their wireless routers.

This is one of the findings of a new survey from security company ESET and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA). It reveals that despite the number of breaches 79 percent of Americans still feel safe in their connected homes, with almost half (49 percent) showing a remarkably strong sense of confidence.

"From the digital workplace to the connected living space and across age groups and demographics, today's households are more connected than ever and the number of connected devices is growing at considerable pace," says ESET Senior Security Researcher Stephen Cobb. "Sixty-seven percent of those surveyed had between one and five connected devices at home connected to the Internet, with 30 percent owning six or more. Even more telling, 30 percent of those surveyed today have two to three more devices at home compared to last year. With so many potentially vulnerable digital entry points, this survey underlines the importance of cybersecurity as a core commitment in our digital lives".

The study also looked at the effect of the connected world on parenting. Three-quarters of American parents say they have had a 'CyberEd' talk with their kids and 90 percent have made at least one rule about using the internet and connected devices. However, more than 61 percent of parents show a surprisingly high level of confidence in their kids' online activities and their abilities to use the internet and devices safely and securely.

Nearly 60 percent of parents don't require permission before downloading a new app, game or joining a social network, 60 percent allow password sharing with friends and only 34 percent require children provide all passwords to their online accounts. In addition 70 percent don't limit the kind of personal information their kids can share on social networks.

Only 33 percent have imposed a device free dinnertime rule and a mere 25 percent have rules about allowing the use of devices in bedrooms after a certain time. Just 30 percent of American parents have rules about not downloading pirated content from the internet such as illegal games, movies or songs.

There's more information on the survey's findings in the infographic below or on the NCSA's StaySafeOnline website.

Image Credit: Maksim Kabakou / Shutterstock