Americans are stuck in an exhausting cycle of security measures — locked out, resetting passwords, and battling CAPTCHAs — just to access their accounts. While biometrics, AI, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) offer alternatives, many still cling to outdated habits that leave them vulnerable to cyber threats. Based on a survey of 1,005 Americans, this study explores how people juggle security, convenience, and trust in digital authentication today.
Every login is a crossroads: security or convenience? Americans are constantly weighing their need for protection against their impatience with clunky authentication processes. For many, frustrating login experiences don’t just cause headaches — they drive people away.
One-third of Americans said they preferred speed over security, even if it meant putting their data at risk. The youngest generation, Gen Z, was the most willing to roll the dice: 38% would take an easier but less secure login option.
Older generations remained loyal to passwords, with 70% of baby boomers and 52% of Gen X trusting them the most. Only 44% of millennials and 42% of Gen Z still saw passwords as the gold standard. Instead, younger generations had the highest trust in biometrics (39% of millennials and 38% of Gen Z).
Comfort with technology also influenced authentication preferences. Those who considered themselves tech-savvy were significantly more likely to use biometrics (57%) than those who didn’t (38%). Those with lower tech confidence also relied more on passwords than their tech-savvy counterparts, but interestingly, not by much (92% vs. 88%).
Beyond passwords and biometrics, CAPTCHAs have become another major authentication pain point. Nearly half of Americans (49%) have abandoned an online purchase due to forgotten passwords, 46% due to repetitive login processes, and 44% because of frustrating CAPTCHA tests. These behaviors typically occur before users even attempt a password reset, as login friction discourages them from continuing.
CAPTCHAs, designed to keep bots out, are also really testing users’ patience — a whopping 40% of Americans admitted to yelling at their screens because of them. Baby boomers (42%) and Gen X (43%) were more prone to screen-related outbursts, but millennials (39%) and Gen Z (34%) weren’t far behind.
Americans are drowning in password chaos — forgotten logins, endless resets, and security hurdles that make every sign-in feel like a battle. Digital fatigue is setting in, and it’s pushing people to take risky shortcuts just to avoid the hassle.
Many Americans (70%) said they feel exhausted by password management, which may be one reason why 40% reset their passwords only once or twice a year and 36% rarely or never do. Nearly half (46%) have deliberately chosen weak passwords for easier recall, with Gen Z leading at 57%. Even more concerning, a quarter of Americans used personal details like their name or birthdate in their passwords — basically handing hackers the keys to their digital lives. Gen Z was the most likely to take this risky shortcut (33%).
These poor password habits have real consequences — about one in three Americans (32%) have had their accounts hacked, leaving them vulnerable to stolen data, financial loss, and digital chaos. Millennials (35%) and Gen Z (32%) have been hit the hardest, proving that convenience often comes at a steep price.
Getting locked out of an account is a maddening experience that’s unfortunately all too common. A staggering 81% of Americans have been locked out of their accounts due to incorrect password attempts. Gen X handled it the best, with 30% resetting their passwords in under five minutes. Surprisingly, Gen Z struggled the most: only 21% could reset their passwords that fast, and they were the most likely to give up on account recovery entirely (11%).
Biometric authentication is on the rise, offering a seamless alternative to passwords — but not everyone is convinced. The divide is clear: for some, biometrics promise convenience, while for others, they raise unsettling questions about control and data protection.
Nearly half of Americans (48%) trusted biometrics like fingerprint scans, seeing them as a convenient alternative to passwords. But when authentication starts to feel like something out of “RoboCop” enthusiasm fades fast. When asked about body implants like brain chips, 70% of Americans gave them a hard pass. For now, at least, the future of online security won’t be going full cyborg.
The most common concerns people had with biometrics were data privacy (43%), a lack of trust in the companies providing these technologies (37%), and reliability (32%). Facial recognition also raised some red flags, with 49% believing someone could use it to track them beyond their devices.
AI-driven security also struggled to gain trust. Only 12% of millennials and 6% of Gen Z have used AI to generate passwords. Many Americans (61%) said they don’t trust AI more than traditional password managers, with Gen Z (72%) being the most skeptical of it handling their security.
MFA promises stronger security, but most Americans still aren’t on board. Adoption remains low, with only about one in five having used it. For many, the hassle outweighs the benefits — frustration with clunky login processes keeps them from making the switch.
Among those who haven’t adopted MFA, 52% said they would if it were simpler or faster, while 46% admitted that cold, hard cash — like discounts or perks — would change their minds. Another 45% said they might finally embrace MFA if platforms made it worth their while with faster logins and a more personalized experience.
Americans are caught in a tug-of-war between security and convenience, navigating an ever-changing landscape of digital authentication. Many still cling to passwords, but younger generations and tech-savvy users are pushing for a future driven by biometrics — despite lingering fears over privacy and corporate trust.
As AI-powered security and MFA gain traction, the key to wider adoption isn’t just better technology — it’s making authentication effortless and rewarding. The more seamless and enticing the experience, the faster Americans will embrace the next era of digital security.
We surveyed 1,005 Americans to explore their thoughts on authentication methods, digital fatigue, and emerging technologies. The generational breakdown of respondents was as follows: Gen Z (18%), millennials (51%), Gen X (24%), and baby boomers (7%). Survey data was collected in January 2025.
Frontegg makes customer identity and access management effortless by extending controls beyond engineering. Developers are freed from routine authentication tasks, while teams like Customer Success, Product, and Infosec can manage user access, security policies, and compliance settings without relying on engineering.
By distributing ownership of identity, Frontegg reduces developer toil, strengthens security and compliance, and enhances the customer experience. Developers focus on innovation, teams move faster without bottlenecks, and businesses scale securely. The result is a win-win.
These insights may be used for noncommercial purposes, provided you link to the source.
