Nearly half of those surveyed admitted to using the same password across multiple accounts. Experts say that makes it easier for hackers to break in.
DALLAS — North Texans may be more alert than most when it comes to cyberattacks, but a new survey suggests they still face serious digital risks.
The study, released by cybersecurity company Yubico, surveyed 5,000 people across U.S. cities to understand how residents are protecting themselves online.
While the results show encouraging signs of vigilance, they also reveal troubling habits that could leave many in Dallas-Fort Worth and Arlington exposed.
Nearly half of those surveyed in North Texas admitted to using the same password across multiple accounts, a practice experts warn can make it easier for hackers to break in. Despite those findings, North Texans do show signs of being more proactive than average when things go wrong.
The findings come at a time when phishing attacks are on the rise globally. Here are the key takeaways:
- Password reuse remains widespread: 47% of Dallas residents use the same password on more than one account.
- Password managers are underutilized: Only 23% rely on a password manager to strengthen login security.
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adoption is steady: 64% enable MFA when available, on par with the national average.
- Incident response is stronger locally: 68% of residents change their passwords following a cybersecurity incident, compared to 65% nationally.
- Phishing concerns linger: While 58% feel confident in spotting phishing attempts, more than half (51%) experienced a cyber incident in the past year.
- Weak password habits persist: 34% still rely on easily guessed details such as pet names, favorite foods, or significant dates.
- Risky online behavior is common: 40% admit to using public Wi-Fi “sometimes” or “always.”
- Digital exposure is growing: Residents share an average of 28% of their personal lives online, with nearly one in four identifying as content creators.
- Financial security worries remain low: Just 9% say they are “very worried” about their financial institution being hacked, slightly under the 10% national average.
Yubico says the findings serve as both a warning and an opportunity: while digital awareness is growing, old habits still put too many at risk in an age where hackers are only getting faster.
“We believe strong security should never be out of reach,” the cybersecurity company said in a statement.
