People should ‘drop passwords altogether’ to improve online security on World Password Day

Data shows that common and obvious phrases such as “password” and “qwerty” – in reference to the common computer keyboard layout – are often among the most used passwords globally.

An expert has called for people to move to other forms of log-in such as multi-factor authentication (PA)

The public and businesses need to “drop passwords altogether” and move to other technology to protect personal information from hackers, a cybersecurity expert has said.

Marking World Password Day on Thursday, Grahame Williams, identity and access management director at UK defence firm Thales, said passwords were “becoming increasingly insecure” and “easily hacked”.