- Iceland leads rankings; Luxembourg follows closely in second place while UK is ranked fifth and US at tenth place.
- PSONO emphasises importance of utilising password managers, which can securely store login details and generate robust, unique passwords for each account.
A study conducted by password management company PSONO has highlighted a significant trend in the UAE: the nation ranks third globally in terms of residents frequently forgetting their passwords.
The research analysed search behaviours across 55 countries, revealing alarming insights into the digital struggles faced by many individuals. The data considered factors such as search trends related to “password reset,” the average interval between password resets, and the number of online accounts each person manages.
Iceland leads the global rankings, with over 13,000 searches for “password reset,” while Luxembourg follows closely in second place with a composite score of 90.5.
The UAE, with a composite score of 86.7, showcases a pressing issue among its digital populace, as approximately 101,705 residents search for password resets.
Digital literacy
Notably, the average time between resets in the UAE is an astonishing 24 months—the shortest interval recorded in the study. In comparison, residents in New Zealand manage to reset their passwords at a much more leisurely pace, averaging 72 months.
Despite an average of around 55 accounts per person, UAE residents encounter significant forgetfulness, particularly regarding their Gmail passwords.
The situation raises questions about digital literacy and personal security management in a country characterised by its technological advancement.
In light of these findings, a spokesperson from PSONO provided practical recommendations to alleviate the frustrations related to password management. They emphasised the importance of utilising password managers, which can securely store login details and generate robust, unique passwords for each account.
Furthermore, regular review and updating of passwords were advocated, along with setting reminders to ensure these best practices are consistently applied.
The spokesperson also cautioned against the common yet perilous practice of reusing passwords across multiple platforms, as this significantly increases the risk of security breaches.
Interestingly, the United States ranks tenth in the study, with over 3 million searches for password resets, yet its vast population means this still constitutes a substantial figure. US residents average about 80 accounts each, making password management a considerable challenge on the global digital landscape.