- Most people forget their old accounts, but criminals never forget how to exploit them, inform warn
- Zombies accounts are digital weak points that only expect password reuse to ruin everything
- Platforms like Groupon and Pandora are full of logs that nobody is looking at
Forgotten accounts for applications that you no longer use may not seem its more pressing security concern, but new research has affirmed that they can be much more than digital disorder.
A study conducted by the recovery of safe data found that 94% of respondents admitted having had one or more zombie accounts: the accounts were not used for at least 12 months.
These careless profiles often remain active and vulnerable, giving cybercriminals a quiet rear door in the digital life of users.
Pandora, Groupon and Shutterfly lead the forgotten services list
Pandora heads the list of abandoned services, with 40% of respondents who admit that they still have unused accounts, with Groupon and Shutterfly following closely, reflecting a broader trend of users who move away from the once popular platforms.
“That account in which you have not logged in for more than a year?” The study says, warning that abandoned profiles are ready to kidnap.
These unused accounts are not limited to music or purchases, since photo exchange platforms such as Dropbox, Tumblr and Flickr are also frequently forgotten, and the trend even extends to more sensitive categories, with appointment applications such as Tinder, Okcupid and Bumble ranking higher in abandonment. In the financial space, the acorns, the mint and the YNAB often remain inactive, despite the potential access to personal or financial information.
Many users simply forget that these accounts exist, assuming that inactivity means elimination. In other cases, disinterest drives abandonment.
Facebook occupies a higher place in dissatisfaction, followed by Twitter/X and Amazon Prime Video. Some platforms failed to keep up with expectations, while others, such as Prime Video, alienated users by adding ads.
Interestingly, Prime Video also appears in the list of more lost services, suggesting that users are divided into their views.
The consequences of ignoring these accounts go far beyond disorder.
The reuse of passwords in all sites, especially between zombie accounts and the work session or banking loggers, creates a serious risk.
The safe recovery of data warns: “Have the same login for that eight -year Tumblr account and your active work email may not be the best for you.”
How to stay safe
- To reduce the risk, check the services for which you have registered: if you no longer use an application or website, remove the account.
- Never reuse passwords. An old committed account that uses the same login as the current one can put your data at risk.
- Create strong and unique passwords for each account. A password administrator can help you track them.
- In addition, verify the privacy settings in the accounts you still use. Some may be sharing more than you think. Adjust those configurations to limit how much information is visible.
- Whenever possible, enable the authentication of two factors for additional protection.
- Finally, use antivirus tools, especially on Android phones.
- A good free antivirus can warn you about insecure applications and detect if your device has been compromised.
