The UK Bans ‘12345’ and ‘Admin’ Passwords which has been announced this week, weak passwords which use 12345″ and “admin” will be banned due to increased security practices.
On the 29th of April 2024, a new law was placed to protect online users from cyber attacks and criminals within the UK. As part of the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) regime, this law aims to protect online users by forcing them to create stronger passwords in order to reduce cyber threats.
The UK is one of the first countries in the world to implement this law, as all internet-connected devices, from mobile devices, high tech equipment and smart doorbells will now have the minimum required security updates to prevent security issues.
Manufacturers would also need to publish their contact details in order for potential bugs and security issues can be reported. Manufacturers can then work towards resolving the security incident and give consumers an update on when the issue will be resolved.
“As everyday life becomes increasingly dependent on connected devices, the threats generated by the internet multiply and become even greater,” said Viscount Camrose, Minister for Cyber.
“From today, consumers will have greater peace of mind that their smart devices are protected from cyber criminals… We are committed to making the UK the safest place in the world to be online and these new regulations mark a significant leap towards a more secure digital world.”
10 MOST COMMON PASSWORDS USED IN THE UK OF 2023
- 123456
- password
- qwerty
- liverpool
- 123456789
- arsenal
- 12345678
- 12345
- abc123
- chelsea
Passwords used in the UK by customers and consumers have been shown to be weak and can cause potential threats of malicious attacks online.
Recent figures have shown that 99% of UK adults use or own at least one smart device and UK households hold on average around nine smart devices.
Keeper Security conducted a global study and found that 75% of online consumers don’t follow expert advice on the minimum security standards of passwords.
This move by the UK government resulted in an increase in attacks online and a series of cyber-attacks globally. However, the new law reflected the importance of governments globally considering moving towards password alternatives such as biometrics and passkeys in the future.
The new measures in place by the UK government’s National Cyber Strategy of £2.6bn is being used to prevent a series of cyberattacks and protect online consumers.
