Security experts now warn AGAINST changing online passwords often as it leaves Brits vulnerable to hackers
The new boss of the National Cyber Security Centre said a 'single strong password' was best
BRITS should stop changing their passwords so often as it leaves them vulnerable to hackers, the new boss of the National Cyber Security Centre said yesterday.
Opening the UK’s new front-line centre in the fight against online crime, Ciaran Martin said a “single strong password” was better than changing it all the time – which meant it could be weaker and more vulnerable to hacking.
And Britain’s new cyber crime chief said even his top spooks struggle to remember all their internet passwords.
He revealed following old Government guidelines was the equivalent of “memorising a new 600-digit number every month” adding “my best technical people can’t do that.”
The new HQ of the NCSC near Victoria Station, Central London was opened by the Queen and Chancellor Philip Hammond on Monday morning.
Speaking ahead of the ribbon cutting Mr Martin said: “None of my best people can do that. So we shouldn’t be telling other people to do that.”
He went on: “The more often users are forced to change passwords, the greater the overall vulnerability to attack.
“What appeared to be a perfectly sensible, long-established piece of advice doesn’t, it turns out, stand up.”
The security experts claim that regularly changing passwords means that people tend to write them down or choose weaker and more memorable options.
The blast came as he warned Russian hacking attempts were reaching critical levels – and that criminals may be able to plunge parts of Britain into darkness because of chronic weaknesses in new hi-tech smart energy meters.
Mr Martin separately revealed the Government foiled more than 300 million criminal impersonations of the taxman emailing members of the public last year.
He also warned that Russia “has been engaged in a sustained set of interferences in the affairs of Western countries” adding that it was his “job to make sure we maximise our defences against that.”
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His concerns were later echoed by Defence Secretary who said he was “concerned” and we need to be “wary” of Russian hacking.
Sir Michael Fallon said attacks could take place on British TV and Radio stations.
“Russia is not the only country that uses cyber as a potential weapon. There are others involved as well. But we do need to be wary of Russia,” headded.
Probed by LBC on whether Russia had targeted UK elections, Sir Michael said: “Well we … I’m not gonna comment on details of any individual incidents.”
And the overall Director of the government’s listening station GCHQ said the opening of the centre marked the start of a new era in UK efforts to protect citizens from cyber attacks.
Robert Hannigan added: “We have a vision to make the UK the safest place to live and do business online.”
He promised that the the NCSC would strenghten the City, Government and key infrastructure such as power stations from attacks.