Younger browsers liable to status jacking

A new report from security firm AVG finds Australian browsers between the ages of 18 and 25 are more liable to status-jacking.

The study finds 40% of young adults in Australia, the US and Britain share passwords for computers and social networks and that many aren’t taking the necessary measures to protect themselves.

The study found many are liable to “status jacking”, which involves someone hacking into a person’s Facebook or social network profile and making “status updates” on their behalf.

“The fact that most young adults secure their laptops and PCs is positive news, but the most worrying statistic is that four in 10 share their passwords, something we do not advise doing,” Peter Cameron, managing director of AVG Australia and New Zealand told ITWire.

Cameron says that, “sharing your passwords can leave your social networks open to status jacking and leaves your other online accounts, such as banking, vulnerable to attack”.