Canada should follow England’s lead and ban generic passwords on smart devices to protect people from cyberattacks.
The law that came into force last Monday in Great Britain now requires manufacturers to establish certain security standards to prevent hackers from accessing consumers’ personal data. Thus, passwords like “12345” will be more authorized on devices connected to the internet such as smartphones, video game consoles and computers.
“Starting today, consumers will have greater peace of mind knowing their smart devices are protected from cybercriminals, thanks to the introduction of world-first laws that will keep their privacy secure, of their data and their finances,” said the British Minister for Cyber, Viscount Camrose, in a press release.
According to experts, Ottawa should take similar measures. Dan Kagan, senior vice-president of identity management company Okta, also believes that passwords are “outdated” and put Canadians at risk from cyber threats.
“We’ve made it easier to remember passwords… because we can’t forget the kids’ names and their favorite sports teams. The problem is that by doing this, we become very predictable,” he explained in an interview with global news.
The latter, however, added that the best ways to protect access is to use biometrics, i.e. voice, facial identification and even fingerprints.
“It’s really difficult to reproduce your face or a fingerprint,” said Mr. Kagan.
Note that last Thursday was World Password Day. This event, which takes place every first Thursday in May, serves as a reminder of the importance of having strong passwords and protecting them well.
