Passwords no longer secure for online users, say professionals

Online passwords are unsecure and need to be replaced by more modern methods, say experts.

Professional services firm KPMG released a report in which it identified passwords as a weak link in the security chain, as they are too easy to hack.

The report also notes that internet users are having to use increasingly complex passwords in order to protect their mobile phones, bank accounts, and so on.

Experts are calling online passwords ‘broken’. They are instead suggesting for more sophisticated methods, such as eye recognition or fingerprints. The move would also make life easier for those who are becoming frustrated with having to come up with more and more complex combinations.

Another recent report revealed that over 30% of people confess to becoming angry from having to recall usernames and passwords. Many said  that that they swear, scream, and sometimes cry or even start banging their head against a table.

The average online user is believed to have a minimum of 19 passwords to remember for internet shopping, social media, online banking, email, and computers.

Technical director for KPMB’s online security arm, David Ferbrache, said:

“People are being forced to adopt more and more convoluted passwords, while trying to avoid the temptation to reuse those super-strong passwords.”

Businesses can also be a victim of insecure passwords, with some more than others being an easy target for hackers. Companies need to make cyber security jobs available to those who are skilled, not only in password security, but in protecting their entire computer system.