CorpComms Magazine

One in four children has attempted hacking into friends' Facebook accounts using their targets' passwords, according to a study conducted by IT security company Tufin Technologies in conjunction with Cumbria Constabulary.

Of the self-confessed hackers, the majority abided by the age-old principle that your attacker is most often someone you know. Over a quarter admitted targeting friends' Facebook accounts, 18 per cent made a bid for a mate's email, whilst a plucky six per cent tried to access their parents' email accounts.

The more sophisticated software spies sought their kicks a little further afield, with seven per cent attacking online shopping sites and five per cent having breached the school website. An ambitious few, three per cent, set their sights higher still and targeted corporate websites.

Their intentions range from the relatively innocent to the positively Machiavellian. Almost half, 46 per cent, just did it for fun. However, 21 per cent had more mischief in mind, actively setting out to cause disruption, and 20 per cent thought they could supplement their pocket money with the hobby.

A crafty, if small - five per cent - minority were contemplating pursuing their Internet antics in a future career.

Of the sample of 1,000 youngsters from London and 150 from Cumbria, only half knew the practice was illegal.

Stuart Hyde, deputy chief constable of Cumbria Constabulary and president of the Society for the Policing of Cyberspace, said: 'What this survey starkly highlights is that hacking into personal online accounts, whether email or Facebook, can be child's play if users do not protect their own passwords.

'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.'

But the Pentagon need not quake in its boots just yet. Of those children who confessed to indulging in the habit, 82 per cent acknowledged it wasn't actually that easy in practice.

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