Beginner's guide to SSL certificates <\/p>\n
A good deal of folk aware of NSA leaker Edward Snowden have improved the security of their online activity after learning of his exploits, a large survey has found. <\/p>\n
Researchers from think tank The Centre for International Governance Innovation collected responses from 23,376 users between October and November and found 60 percent had heard of Snowden. <\/p>\n
Among respondents, 39 per cent \"have taken steps to protect their online privacy and security as a result of [Snowden's] revelations.\" 43 per cent have \"now avoid certain websites and applications and 39% now change their passwords regularly,\" the survey finds. <\/p>\n
About 1000 users responded from each of the 24 countries polled. <\/p>\n
Just over half of responding Australians knew of Snowden, far behind the three quarters of Britons and nearly all Germans. <\/p>\n
About a quarter of Antipodeans had done something to make the work of the Australian Signals Directorate harder, compared to roughly a third of those in the UK and US. <\/p>\n
Have you heard of Ed? <\/p>\n
Security education is a tough gig: The Reg has been hearing the \"better security comes from people, processes and technology\" mantra for over a decade. Endless recitation of that message, and education campaigns galore, sometimes seem not to have much effect as weak passwords remain pitifully prevalent and scams proliferate daily. <\/p>\n
Snowden prompting four in ten of those surveyed - and more in places like India, Mexico and China - to take security more seriously is therefore a big win. <\/p>\n
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