12 Jan 2009

Firms reminded on importance of password security

Companies should use different log-in information across their online accounts, an internet security firm has advised.

According to Sophos, firms which use the same password for a number of applications they access over the internet could be putting their security at risk.

Graham Cluley, Sophos' senior technology consultant, urged firms which store sensitive data online to boost their security by operating a range of different log-ins.

He said: "When it's critical information like financial information or something to do with your identity, then you should be using different passwords."

A recent poll by management consulting firm Accenture found that 70 per cent of UK internet users don't write down passwords and then use the same ones for different websites to ensure they don't forget their log-in information.

More firms are turning to online solutions as a cheaper alternative to storing data it in-house.

Third-party hosting providers can assist business' security concerns by looking managing security concerns on their behalf.