A SECURITY USE SURVEY FROM GEN Y TO BABY BOOMERS - ZoneAlarm · Gen Y is less likely to use...

© 2012 Dimensional Research.All Rights Reserved. www.dimensionalresearch.com

IntroductionThe broad adoption of digital media and social networking combined with the increasing amount of sensitive data stored online is making personal computer security more important than ever. But do different generations understand this problem and protect their systems while online? Does the younger, more tech-savvy generation manage computer security more effectively, or do more mature individuals who are often more guarded with their personal data protect themselves better?

The following report, sponsored by ZoneAlarm (Check Point Software Technologies’ consumer business), presents the results of a global survey of 1,245 PC users conducted in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia during March 2012. The goal of this study was to quantify generational differences towards personal computer security. In this report, “Gen Y” is defined as 18- to 25-year-olds, and “Baby Boomers” refers to 56- to 65-year olds.

Key Findings• Computersecurityincreasesinprioritywithage

- Only 31% of Gen Y participants rank security as the most important consideration when making decisions about their computers compared to 58% of Baby Boomers

- Gen Y is more likely to prioritize entertainment and community above security - Approximately 36% of Baby Boomers are “very concerned” about security and privacy compared to only 20% of Gen Y

- Baby Boomers are more concerned about email attacks; Gen Y is more concerned about attacks through social networks and P2P file-sharing networks

• GenYisoverconfidentinitssecurityknowledge - 63% of Gen Y claims to be knowledgeable about security compared to 59% of Baby Boomers - Yet, 50% of Gen Y respondents have had security issues in the past two years compared to only 42% of Baby Boomers

• GenYhaslesssophisticatedsecurityduetocostandtechnicalbarriers - Gen Y is less likely to use paid antivirus, 3rd-party firewalls, or integrated security suites than Baby Boomers - 45% of Gen Y participants say security software is too expensive compared to 37% of Baby Boomers

• Sensitivedataisstoredoncomputersyetparticipants,especiallyGenY,ignoresecuritybestpractices - 84% of people keep sensitive data, such as tax records, financial info, and passwords on their computers - Among participants of all generations, 71% do not follow security best practices of supplementing antivirus software with a firewall

- 78% of Gen Y do not follow security best practices compared to 53% of Baby Boomers

THE GENERATION GAP IN COMPUTER SECURITY:A SECURITY USE SURVEY FROM GEN Y TO BABY BOOMERS

Dimensional Research | June 2012

Sponsored by



www.dimensionalresearch.com © 2012 Dimensional Research.All Rights Reserved.

Detailed FindingsImportance of computer security increases with ageParticipants were asked to rate the relative importance of different computer-related activities when making decisions about their computers and the applications used, including:

• Security:Confidence that personal information is safe and systems are secure• Productivity:Quick access to applications such as Microsoft Office, email, calendars, to-do lists• Entertainment:The organization and use of music, video, and games• Information:Access to news, product research, and online personal accounts• Community:Interaction via social media, instant messaging, Internet calls, and video chat

Among all participants, almost half (48%) ranked security as the most important of these activities. However, there was a clear trend that younger participants were much less likely to rank security as their most important consideration than older participants.

Gen Y prioritizes entertainment and communityGen Y was 27% less likely (31% vs. 58%) to rank security as its top priority compared to Baby Boomers. Instead Gen Y participants were much more likely to put a higher priority on entertainment and community. Gen Y participants were 18% more likely (22% vs. 4%) to indicate entertainment was their top priority and 14% more likely (18% vs. 4%) to indicate community was most important compared to Baby Boomers.

31%

46% 51% 54% 58%

48%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

18-‐25 (Gen Y)

26-‐35 36-‐45 46-‐55 56-‐65 (Baby

Boomers)

All

Security most important -‐ by age




Baby Boomers more concerned about security and privacyWhile 28% of all survey participants reported being “very concerned” about security and privacy when using their computers, Baby Boomers were much more likely, 36%, to describe themselves this way than younger generations. In comparison, only 20% of Gen Y participants indicated that they were “very concerned” about security.

Generational differences in concerns about security attacksBoth Gen Y and Baby Boomers were most concerned about the potential security threat from infected websites. However, there were distinct differences in the types of security attacks that caused concern among the different age groups. Baby Boomers were much more concerned about attacks coming through email, (35% vs. 18%) whereas Gen Y indicated greater concern (24% vs. 9%) about attacks originating from social networks or P2P file-sharing networks.

20% 20%

32% 34% 36%

28%

0% 5%

10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

18 -‐ 25 (Gen Y)

26 -‐ 35 36 -‐ 45 46 -‐ 55 56 -‐ 65 (Baby

Boomers)

All

Very concerned about computer security and privacy -‐ by age

24%

18%

53%

9%

35%

49%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

Social and P2P networks

Email

Infected websites

Source of security a.acks causing most concern

Baby Boomers

Gen Y




Gen Y is overconfident about security knowledgeGen Y participants described themselves as slightly more knowledgeable about security with 63% indicating that they were knowledgeable about security threats compared to 59% of Baby Boomers.

However, Gen Y participants reported that they actually experienced more security problems than Baby Boomers. Half (50%) of all Gen Y participants indicated that they have had computer security issues in the past two years compared to only 42% of Baby Boomers.

In particular, Gen Y reported more virus infections (42%) compared to Baby Boomers (35%).

63%

59%

40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65%

Gen Y

Baby Boomers

Knowledgeable about security

4%

10%

42%

4%

8%

35%

4%

9%

38%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%

ID the0/stolen finanical info

Hacked computer or account

Virus infecCon

Have you had any of the following computer security issues in the last 2 years?

All

Baby Boomers

Gen Y

50%

42%

20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55%

Gen Y

Baby Boomers

Have experienced computer security issues in the past two years




Gen Y less likely to use additional security softwareGen Y is less likely to use additional security software beyond the basics that come with the Windows operating system. These participants reported using fewer paid antivirus, 3rd-party firewalls, and integrated security suites that include both a firewall and antivirus.

Cost and technical issues create barrier to greater use of security softwareGen Y has greater cost sensitivity than Baby Boomers, which is a barrier to using more paid security software. More Gen Y respondents, 45%, claimed that one of the reasons they do not use more security software is because it is too expensive. This compares to only 37% of Baby Boomers citing the same issue.

10%

24%

12%

22%

34%

27%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

3rd-‐party firewall

Paid an8virus

Integrated security suite

Use addi(onal security so1ware

Baby Boomers

Gen Y

10%

12%

18%

26%

45%

6%

12%

16%

28%

37%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

I have had problems upda:ng my security soAware in the past

I have had technical problems with security soAware in the past

Security soAware slows down my computer

I think MicrosoA has me covered with built-‐in security soAware

It's too expensive

Reasons for not using more security so1ware

Baby Boomers

Gen Y




Agreement among generations that security software should be freeWhile there were many differences between generations in this study, the opinion that security software should be free was commonly shared across all ages. Approximately half of all participants, 48%, indicated that “free” is the price they expect to pay for security software.

All generations keep sensitive data on their computersThe difference in attitudes towards security was unrelated to the amount of personal information stored on their computers. Across all age groups, most participants (84%) kept sensitive personal data such as tax records, financial information, and passwords on their computers.

48% 50%

41%

50% 53% 48%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

18 -‐ 25 (Gen Y)

26 -‐ 35 36 -‐ 45 46 -‐ 55 56 -‐ 65 (Baby

Boomers)

All

Expect security so.ware to be free

82% 86% 83% 86% 82% 84%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

18 -‐ 25 (Gen Y)

26 -‐ 35 36 -‐ 45 46 -‐ 55 56 -‐ 65 (Baby

Boomers)

All

Keep personal data on their computers -‐ by age




Participants, especially Gen Y, do not follow security best practicesA generally accepted best practice among all personal computing security experts is that each computer should have a two-way firewall in addition to antivirus software. Given these guidelines, we evaluated how many participants were following these best practices. In general, 71% of all survey participants do not follow these security best practices. Baby Boomers did a much better job than any other generation with almost half following these best practices. Gen Y was the least protected with 78% not following these best practices.

Survey MethodologyIn March 2012, independent groups of PC users were invited to participate in a Web survey on the topic of personal computer security sponsored by ZoneAlarm. A total of 1,245 respondents across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia completed the survey, all of whom had responsibility for purchasing and maintaining their personal desktop or laptop computer.

78%

53%

71%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Gen Y

Baby Boomers

All

Do not follow security best prac3ces

18 -‐ 25 years old 20%

26 -‐ 35 years old 20%

36 -‐ 45 years old 20%

46 -‐ 55 years old 20%

56 -‐ 65 years old 20%

Age of Par*cipants

United States 33%

Canada 16%

United Kingdom 17%

Germany 17%

Australia 17%

Loca%on

Male 41%

Female 59%

Gender




About Dimensional ResearchDimensional Research® provides practical marketing research to help technology companies make their customers more successful. Our researchers are experts in the people, processes, and technology of corporate IT and understand how IT organizations operate. We partner with our clients to deliver actionable information that reduces risks, increases customer satisfaction, and grows the business. For more information visit www.dimensionalresearch.com.

About Check Point Software TechnologiesCheck Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet, provides customers with uncompromised protection against all types of threats, reduces security complexity and lowers total cost of ownership. Check Point first pioneered the industry with FireWall-1® and its patented stateful inspection technology. Today, Check Point continues to develop new innovations based on the Software Blade Architecture™, providing customers with flexible and simple solutions that can be fully customized to meet the exact security needs of any organization. Check Point is the only vendor to go beyond technology and define security as a business process. Check Point 3D Security uniquely combines policy, people and enforcement for greater protection of information assets and helps organizations implement a blueprint for security that aligns with business needs. Customers include tens of thousands of organizations of all sizes, including all Fortune and Global 100 companies. Check Point’s award-winning ZoneAlarm solutions protect millions of consumers from hackers, spyware and identity theft.

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