Research published by IT security firm Tufin Technologies, suggests that 23pc of college and university students have hacked into IT systems. Of these hackers, 40pc waited until after their 18th birthday before their first hacking attempt.
On a positive note, 84pc of 18-21 year olds recognised that hacking is wrong. However, 32pc identified that hacking is ‘cool’ and worryingly, for the targets of hackers in this age group, 28pc considered hacking to be easy.
This research, which was supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) – builds on a study carried out in March amongst teenagers. The teenage research survey revealed similar attitudes towards hacking, although only 18pc considered hacking to be easy, suggesting that hackers’ experience develops through their teenage years. Both surveys found that there was no gender bias in hackers with an equal split between boys and girls.
The survey which was carried out among 1000 college and university students from across five London universities and three northern universities showed that just over one in three students said that they hacked for fun. A further 22pc cited curiousity as their main reason for hacking. An entrepreneurial 15pc revealed that they hacked to make money. This was further reflected in the types of sites that had fallen victim to these youngsters. The survey found that 37pc had hacked facebook accounts, 26pc email accounts with 10pc breaching online shopping accounts. Although 39pc of hackers use their own computer, others have used public computers and networks with 32pc a university machine and 23pc using an internet café.
The study also discovered that nearly half of the students (46pc) had fallen foul of hackers having had either their social networking or email accounts breached. A further 41pc said that they had had their passwords to university networks abused by a third party.
Speaking about these findings, Shaul Efraim – VP Products, Marketing and Business Development of Tufin Technologies said: “It is clear we have a smart new generation emerging who understand how to get around computer systems – some are doing it just for fun others with slightly more sinister intent! It’s imperative that we begin to educate this generation about the good, the bad and the ugly side of the Internet and channel these skills appropriately and legally. Looking at these findings, from an IT security perspective, it would be good to see these talented individuals pursue a career in the security sector to ensure all organisations benefit from their obvious ability to strengthen security systems and stop the data breaches that litter the news sites today, and preventing hackers in the future – whether they’re seven or 70.
ACPO lead on e-crime prevention and President of the Society for the Policing of Cyberspace (POLCYB), Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde said: “What this survey clearly highlights is that hacking into personal online accounts whether email or facebook is happening regularly among the student population. It illustrates the importance of keeping your passwords strong, secure and changing them regularly to help protect your accounts from unscrupulous people of all ages. We live in a world where social networking, email and the internet is embedded into our every day lives from a far younger age so early education is essential to ensure young people know the devastating consequences this activity can have. What is concerning is the attitude of many of those surveyed felt that hacking (i.e., using someone else’s account) was acceptable, or even something to be admired – it is not. Hacking is illegal and we need to ensure everyone understands that.”
Efraim added: “Our research has consistently found that the best defence against hackers consists of well designed and followed upon automated processes at firewalls, server operating systems and the application level."
To find out more about how to protect yourself online log on to: www.cumbria.police.uk/advice-and-information/crime-prevention/on-the-web
Notes
This survey was carried out by independent researchers for Tufin Technologies among 1000 students between the ages of 18 and 21 in June and July 2010.
The previous study on “teenage hacking habits” can be viewed at:
http://www.tufin.com/news_events_press_releases.php?index=2010-04-14
Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde is ACPO lead on E-Crime Prevention and President of the Society for the Policing of Cyberspace (POLCYB). POLCYB brings together law enforcement and industry to increase people’s personal and professional knowledge of cyber crime issues.
