Abstract:
With technological advancement, usage of internet and its applications are increasing rapidly.
Because of that, number of online account users are also increasing. Although there are
number of authentication technique, the most usable and popular authentication mechanism is
using password protection mechanism. Same time data protection is also a critical problem.
There are many threats for data of online users. Most user passwords are weak. Due to that
reason attacker can easily break the password using dictionary attack, password guessing and
social engineering attack and so on. This study has been evaluated password security concern
and practices of online users. The objectives of this study was to identify relationship
between the online users‘ password security concerns and practices with their education
level, IT Skill and social factors. Hypothesis for the study was derived from these objectives.
Conceptual framework has been developed using factors identify from literature survey.
Independent variables are education level, IT skill and social factors. Dependent variable is
password security concern and practices. Sample has at least one year experience of using
password protecting online account. Simple random sample technique was used to select
sample. Sample size was 180. Questioner was used to collect data. Survey querying: general
demographic information, types and number of different password protected accounts
maintained, internet usage behaviors (frequency, duration and longevity of use), actual
practices used in generating, storing and using passwords and practices believed they should
use in generating and storing passwords. Regression model was used to identify relationships.
This study identify the relationships between the variables, general password characteristics
of users, password construction practices/strategies of users and user perceptions of password
construction practices that should be used.
