Sophos urges use of stronger passwords

33% use same one every time

10 March 2009 12:51 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Sophos is "urging" computer users to use different, and stronger passwords for online accounts and services.

The IT security firm advises people to take the time to "assess the strength of their passwords and ensure that they are choosing unique and multiple passwords for every different sensitive account in order to thwart hackers and protect their personal and corporate identities".

The advice follows a Sophos poll that showed that 33% used the same password for multiple sites "all the time", 48% varied between a "few different" passwords and just 19% never used the same password.

In addition, the company says that using "dictionary words" is not a good idea. Sophos warns that hackers can use electronic dictionaries that try every word until they find the right one.

This warning follows Twitter's advice earlier this week that advised users of the micro-blogging service to strengthen their passwords after around 750 accounts were "broken into".

Related
Full tags
Software, Online, Sophos, Statistics, Surveys
UK Shopping
Amazon.co.uk, play.com, pixmania.co.uk, Currys.co.uk, Dixons.co.uk, 7dayshop.com, ebay.co.uk
US Shopping
Amazon.com, bestbuy.com, ebay.com

share Subscribe to RSS feeds email story save story print story pdf

Comments

  • Hi. Thanks for posting about this important issue.

    As well as releasing the research, we also produced a short and non-salesy (!) video explaining what people should do to create a hard-to-crack password, and how you could remember passwords on many websites.

    You are welcome to embed the video on your own website if you like

    http://vimeo.com/3546084

    Hope that helps,
    Graham
    Posted by Graham Cluley, Sophos, UK

(Will not be published)

  (Next time sign in to bypass captcha)

Latest in Software

Latest on Pocket-lint.com

About Pocket-lint

Pocket-lint is your one stop shop for gadgets, technology and consumer electronics, bringing you the low-down on the latest televisions, cameras, phones, GPS and much more. Whether it's learning about what's hot in the world of Apple, finding out about the latest home cinema kit from Samsung and Sony or merely seeing what not to buy, we have you covered. So check out our reviews, news, comment, hands-on photo galleries and videos. Enjoy.

Pocket-lint.com poll

Q. Do you still buy CDs?

Vote YES Vote NO

» LAST TIME
When asked Do you want the Droid by Motorola? 53% said yes and 47% said no

Top 10 Broadband

Compare 50+
broadband packages

Home Broadband »

Top products

tip us on news

Rss feed

Follow us on Twitter