Ethical hacker Brandyn Murtagh has disclosed how easy it is to find a person’s password online – and it’s often a matter of minutes
A professional ethical hacker has exposed just how simple it is for cybercriminals to discover someone’s password online, frequently taking under three minutes.
Brandyn Murtagh, who employs his expertise to assist companies in identifying and addressing their digital security weaknesses, left volunteers speechless during a security evaluation by utilising solely publicly accessible data breaches to uncover their passwords – including ones currently in use.
He also disclosed personal information including their home address, telephone number and even locations they’ve recently been to, all details that criminals could exploit to gain entry to their other online accounts or commit fraud against them. It comes after a warning everyone using Android must restart their phones now as ‘critical’ warning issued.
Read more
everyone in the UK with WhatsApp put on red alert and told to follow three new rules.
huge VPN change announced as everyone in the UK is targeted by major web update.
Following his successful password revelations, he then collaborated with them to secure their accounts and shared his essential advice – never reuse identical passwords, employ a minimum of 14 characters with random phrases – and always activate two-factor authentication wherever feasible.
Brandyn has been enlisted by Virgin Media O2, to assist in making Britons’ passwords secure this summer, following research from the firm which has shown more than one in 20 Brits have utilised the word ‘password’ as a password. The survey of 2,000 adults also disclosed the same proportion (7%) have also employed ‘password1’ as a login.
Murray Mackenzie, director of fraud prevention at the brand said: “We’re seeing a trend where, despite people worrying about online threats, weak and short passwords are putting them at risk.
“That’s why we’re lifting the lid on how easy it is for cybercriminals with the right know-how to get their hands on your data and passwords online – and providing quick, simple steps to help people protect themselves.”
Other shockingly elementary choices that have been deployed included number sequences such as 123456 and 123456789. In total, six in 10 adults still confess to relying on rudimentary passwords online – despite scam risks being at an all-time high.
Meanwhile, 45% attempt to cling onto the same tired combinations they’ve perpetually relied upon, despite being aware they shouldn’t. With 11% even convinced there’s nothing wrong with maintaining their predictable selections.
The research also revealed 32% resort to children or pet names as passwords – with 14% even incorporating their own date of birth.
The investigation also discovered 27% have never altered the password for an email account and 35% haven’t troubled themselves with updating a combination for their bank account.
And whilst 25% utilise a password manager to assist them in remembering the details, 22% jot them down somewhere. Paradoxically, the primary reason for avoiding a manager for 29% was their fear of being locked out. Of the 37% who have fallen victim to online breaches, 26% only finally manage to update it to something different.
The task of changing passwords is viewed as more dreadful than untangling a drawer full of charging cables (15%), enduring a three-hour meeting that could’ve been handled via email (9%) or treading on a plug with bare feet (6%).
The research also revealed that whilst Baby Boomers demonstrate greater caution than Generation Z regarding account security. Merely 20%t of the older generation, surveyed through OnePoll, confess to using easily guessable passwords, whilst 43% of Gen Z participants do.
Virgin Media O2’s spokesperson Murray Mackenzie commented: “We’re working tirelessly to keep customers safe from cybercriminals – blocking millions of fraudulent texts, malware and spyware, and flagging harmful websites and suspicious calls.
“But with bad actors stopping at nothing to access your accounts, we all need to take action to stay safe online from fraud. That starts with using strong, unique passwords – especially for your email, phone, social media, and online banking.”
TOP 10 PASSWORDS BRITS HAVE USED:
- Password1
- Password
- 123456
- 123456789
- Abcd1234
- Iloveyou
- Football
- Querty
- 123456a
- Secret