{"id":83393,"date":"2018-01-02T21:01:06","date_gmt":"2018-01-03T05:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/securingtomorrow.mcafee.com\/?p=83393"},"modified":"2025-08-13T22:34:55","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T05:34:55","slug":"key-findings-from-our-survey-on-identity-theft-family-safety-and-home-network-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/privacy-identity-protection\/key-findings-from-our-survey-on-identity-theft-family-safety-and-home-network-security\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Findings from our Survey on Identity Theft, Family Safety and Home Network Security"},"content":{"rendered":"

The world is connecting to the internet now more than ever before. As a result, the popularity of connected devices has changed the way we live our lives \u2013 in particular, the way we handle our personal information. To get a sense of consumers\u2019 habits and attitudes around the digital landscape, McAfee surveyed 6,400 people globally for its study, New Security Priorities in An Increasingly Connected World<\/em>. The survey reveals what consumers\u2019 security focuses and concerns are as we move into 2018.<\/p>\n

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Data breach concerns are high, but action is minimal<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s no secret that the plethora of recent data breaches and malware attacks have put the personal information and identities of millions of Americans at risk. Many are feeling that they have a lack of control over their personal information (43% of those surveyed, in fact). And another 33% rank protecting their identity as their number one cybersecurity priority ahead of protecting privacy, connected devices, data, and connected home devices.<\/p>\n

However, even though consumers are concerned about their personal information and identity, only 37% of individuals use an identity theft protection solution, and 28% have no plans to sign up for an ID theft protection solution. This is all in spite of the fact that 61% of respondents are more concerned about cybersecurity than they were 5 years ago.<\/p>\n

So, out of those surveyed \u2013 how many are proactive about protecting their identity, and how do they do it? The most common way respondents aim to prevent identity theft<\/a> is to check online bank accounts for unauthorized charges or withdrawals (67%). 43% of those surveyed check social media for fraudulent activities like posts on social media that were not created by them , and 37% use credit monitoring services. Shockingly, 15% claimed to take no specific action at all.<\/p>\n

Keeping your family safe online<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The concerns around personal data apply to kids too, as today\u2019s children are practically glued to their phones and tablets, and often don\u2019t inform their parents about who they are talking to, where they are going online and what they are posting.<\/p>\n

In fact, almost one third of parents do not monitor their child\u2019s connected device usage, and only 44% keep devices in their possession and let their child use the device when they can be monitored. But the reality is, 40% of parent respondents discovered that their children have accessed a website that they do not approve of, while only 26% of said parents use software to monitor their child.<\/p>\n

Protecting your home<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Though survey respondents are most concerned about their personal data, and that of their children\u2019s, their focus also extends to the very homes they live in. With the boom of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the home network is being asked to handle more devices than ever before.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s becoming harder to manage for the owners of those devices. 52% of respondents were either unsure or had no idea how to check to see if their connected devices and apps are secured. The biggest worry among respondents about having their wireless home network hacked is that cybercriminals could steal personal information and make them a victim of identity theft (63%). A total of 17% of those surveyed say they have never considered the implications of their network being hacked.<\/p>\n

How to stay protected<\/strong><\/h2>\n

So, if you have a few of these concerns on your mind, fear not \u2013 there\u2019s steps you can take to stay protected. Start by following these :<\/p>\n