The Government has recently announced it is cracking down on weak default passwords, such as 1,2,3,4.
Most IoT devices (Internet of Things) devices come with a default password to help make the setting up of such gadgets quick and simple. This could be 1,2,3,4 or 0,0,0,0,- weak passwords. These devices generally have an option to change the password, but how many of us do? In a world where we have so much to remember, we forget to change it, or we choose just to leave it as it is- nice and simple. Many of us simply believe that getting hacked won’t happen to us.
Getting hacked can happen to any of us and that is what the Government is currently trying to minimise. Gadgets with weak security can provide an easy route for hackers to get into smart devices and smartphones and steal personal and sensitive data, not to mention security cameras being hacked and used to spy on you in your own home.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) have announced that companies will need a point of contact so that people can report any exposures in their software. The plans are hoping to be brought before MPs as soon as possible, ready to enforce the new rulings.
Digital Minister, Matt Warman has stated:
“We want to make the UK the safest place to be online with pro-innovation regulation that breeds confidence in modern technology. Our new law will hold firms manufacturing and selling internet-connected devices to account and stop hackers from threatening people’s security, privacy and safety. It will mean robust security standards are built-in from the design stage and not bolted on as an afterthought.”
He added “New laws will mean consumers are protected from devices which do not adhere to three rigorous security requirements we’ve developed alongside a code of conduct. These measures mean passwords pre-programmed in internet-connected devices must be unique and not resettable to a factory reset.”
This will go some way to help improve our cybersecurity. Still, there are many other things you can do to stay safe online alongside these measures.
With your Notty Account, you receive Cyber Care as standard and a password manager.
