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Online passwords: Eliminate them ‘completely’ to stop hackers, says cybersecurity expert | Science & Technology News


People and businesses need to “get rid of passwords altogether” and switch to other technology to protect personal information from hackers, a cybersecurity expert has said.

Grahame Williams, director of identity and access management at defense firm Thales, said passwords were “increasingly insecure” and “vulnerable”.

He called on the industry to move to other forms of login such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) – where users must provide an extra layer of identification to log in – or biometrics such as facial or fingerprint scanning to improve improve the general safety of personal data.

Mr. Williams said a key issue was the widespread use of simple and easy-to-guess passwords.

The data shows that common and obvious phrases like “password” and “qwerty” – related to common computer keyboard layouts – are often among the most used passwords globally.

“The research that has come out in the last few days shows that the number of CEOs who are still using ‘12356’ as their password is actually quite amusing – assuming we’ve left that out but it’s really bad. really doesn’t support that,” he added.

THURSDAY May 1 File photo of a woman using a laptop computer.  The public and businesses need "remove the password completely" and turn to other technology to protect personal information from hackers, a cybersecurity expert said.  Marking World Password Day on Thursday, Grahame Williams, director of identity and access management at defense firm Thales, said passwords were "becoming more and more unsafe" and "easy to hack".  Release date: Thursday, May 5, 2022.
Picture:
Thursday is World Password Day

“We know that people are using these ridiculously easy passwords, but the most alarming fact is that they’re not actually using them for one thing, they’re using them over and over. .

“So if someone has access to one of your passwords, they will have access to your crown jewels.

Three unique random words

“For everyone working from home, with COVID and people go online to consume things, the threat is getting worse, and there are some seriously unscrupulous people out there.

“So people really take it seriously and make sure we put in as many barriers as we can.”

Experts advise those who are creating passwords to use a unique, random set of three words and not reuse them across multiple accounts.

But Mr Williams said where possible, platforms should introduce other ways for people to log in, and users should try to use them.

“While passwords are really easy to guess, actually being able to use something that’s unique to you – like your face or fingerprint – is obviously the logical step for us to take,” he said.

“We recommend that everyone – whether consumer or private – start using these technologies.

“Our view on this is that there’s no reason you should still use passwords and we should all find a way to really push it.”



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