Many workers find that having access to premium work subscriptions and databases, such as cloud-based news, tax and accounting libraries, can be hard to surrender when moving to another employer or self-employment. This leads to as many as 4 out of 10 professionals admitting in a new survey that they continue to use and access former employers’ accounts after they’ve left.
The survey, commissioned by PasswordManager.com and conducted online via Pollfish, sheds light on concerning trends around digital security. According to the findings, 40 percent of workers admit to using login credentials from a previous job, and 15 percent say they’re actively doing so. The most common reason? Saving money. In fact, among those who access old accounts, 53 percent say it’s to avoid paying for tools or services, with some reporting monthly savings exceeding $300.
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Security lapses on the employer side seem to be fueling the problem. Three in five say they were able to log in because the password hadn’t been changed. Others gained access via coworkers still at the company (28%), or simply guessed the password (20%).
Credential sharing isn’t limited to past jobs. The survey also finds that 27 percent of workers share their current employer’s passwords with someone outside the company. Nearly half say they do so because the other person helps with their work, while a third say it’s to help someone else save money.
Cybersecurity expert Gunnar Kallstrom notes, “To curb credential sharing, companies should require employees to sign an Acceptable Use Policy and undergo regular security awareness training. They also need to implement Role-Based Access Controls, multi-factor authentication, and strict offboarding protocols.”
Despite the security implications, most former employees say they’ve never been caught. And disturbingly, 1 in 10 say they’ve been using old logins for more than four years. Some former employers even reach out to ex-workers for help — 17 percent of workers say they’ve been contacted because a company forgot a password.
This survey was commissioned by PasswordManager.com and conducted online via the survey platform Pollfish in July 2025. The survey used random device engagement to reach 1,200 full-time U.S. employees. To view the full report, visit: https://www.passwordmanager.com/4-in-10-workers-hack-former-employer-passwords-for-personal-use/
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