90% of Computer Passwords May Become Vulnerable To Hacking
January 18, 2013 8:55 AM - YouTube
We all use passwords to access important websites but just how secure are they? According to a new study reported by YahooFinance the Global consulting firm Deloitte says that some 90% of user passwords may become vulnerable to hacking. How are passwords becoming so easily available?
A password chosen from all 94 characters available on a standard keyboard is one of 6.1 quadrillion possible combinations. It would take about a year for a relatively fast 2011 desktop computer to try every variation, Deloitte says. And because the longer and more @, * and % symbols are in our passwords, the harder they are to remember. So we end up using a very small subset of those possible combinations — which makes user-generated passwords susceptible to getting cracked.
via Your Password Isn’t Safe: 90% Are Vulnerable to Hacking, Says Report | The Exchange – Yahoo! Finance.
What is the solution?
Multi-layer authentication is one popular solution. Instead of requiring only a name and password to gain access to an account, multiple identification factors would be needed. For instance, you log onto your credit-card issuer’s site, type in your username and password, and another code or password is sent to your smartphone, which you then input online. It’s another layer of security that will work, but it’s not terribly convenient.
via Your Password Isn’t Safe: 90% Are Vulnerable to Hacking, Says Report | The Exchange – Yahoo! Finance.
Another safety precaution I have seen recently is having a security question added to the access certain websites. Also, try to use different passwords for different accounts. Just make sure you write them down rather than try to remember them.
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