Reuters/Ipsos Data: Cybersecurity
Washington, DC, April 5, 2017 — Despite an increasing dependence on technology, Americans are not actively pursuing cybersecurity in their daily lives. A third of Americans change their passwords only once a year or less (35%). Even more surprising, 8% of Americans are unsure if their identity has been stolen.
Along with rarely changing passwords, nearly eight in ten have not switched their browser to ‘private mode’ to protect their privacy (79%). Similarly, 95% of Americans have not started using a specialized privacy-oriented communications service, like Signal, WhatsApp, Wickr or Confide. Only 84% have placed tape over the camera of their phone, computer or smart device. Over half of Americans haven’t done anything to protect their privacy from cyber-attacks (54%).
Juxtaposed to American reluctance to take measures to improve their own cybersecurity is the majority who are unwilling to share their personal information to help foil both domestic and foreign terror plots. This sentiment spans over personal email, text messages, phone records and internet activities. Americans are most wary of sharing their text messages to foil foreign terrorist plots (77%). Prioritizing privacy also spans party identification, with a significant majority of both Democrats and Republicans unwilling to give up access to their personal information.
You can read more about the cybersecurity data here and about digital privacy here.
About the Study
These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted March 11-20, 2017 on behalf Thomson Reuters. For the survey, a sample of roughly 3,307 adults age 18+ from the continental U.S., Alaska and Hawaii was interviewed online in English. The sample includes 1,355 Democrats, 1,209 Republicans, and 427 Independents.
The sample for this study was randomly drawn from Ipsos’s online panel (see link below for more info on “Access Panels and Recruitment”), partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling (see link below for more info on the Ipsos “Ampario Overview” sample method) and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense. Ipsos uses fixed sample targets, unique to each study, in drawing sample. After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the U.S. Population using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments. The source of these population targets is U.S. Census 2013 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on demographics. Post-hoc weights were made to the population characteristics on gender, age, race/ethnicity, region, and education.
Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points for all respondents. Ipsos calculates a design effect (DEFF) for each study based on the variation of the weights, following the formula of Kish (1965). This study had a credibility interval adjusted for design effect of the following (n=3,307, DEFF=1.5, adjusted Confidence Interval=3.4).
The poll also has a credibility interval plus or minus 3.0 percentage points for Democrats, plus or minus 3.2 percentage points for Republicans, and plus or minus 5.4 percentage points for Independents.
For more information about conducting research intended for public release or Ipsos’ online polling methodology, please visit our Public Opinion Polling and Communication page where you can download our brochure, see our public release protocol, or contact us.
For more information about this news release, please contact:
Chris Jackson
Vice President, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
+1 202 420-2025
[email protected]
About Ipsos Public Affairs
Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.
Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In Canada, the U.S., UK, and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.
About Ipsos
Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks fourth in the global research industry.
With offices in 89 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media; customer loyalty; marketing; public affairs research; and survey management.
Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.
Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,782.7 million in 2016.
