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Passwords 'key to IT security'

22 December 2010

Users of IT as part of their working life has been advised to make sure their passwords are secure.

This is according to specialist Redscan, with the company's Internet Security Analyst claiming such keys should be complex in order to effectively safeguard personal and business information over the web.

Simon Heron explained: "Unfortunately people often have simple passwords, and they then use the same simple password across multiple accounts."

He pointed out that in such circumstances, once internet criminals have a single code they have "the crown jewels", as they can access a range of different accounts with it.

Mr Heron suggested web users often fail to understand the seriousness of creating secure passwords in order to deter criminals and advised using a page number from a favourite book combined with letters to create them as these are complicated but can be traced back if needed.

His remarks come in the wake of a series of recommendations issued by high-profile portals such as Yahoo, Twitter and LinkedIn regarding passwords after Gawker Media experienced a substantial attack by hackers.