Should you change your password?

Written by Ryan Garside

December 5, 2006 | 10:12

Tags: #account #code #hack #international #internet #password #telecommunications #union #warning

Companies: #steam

Are you one of those people who use the same username/password combination for practically every log in on the web? Now the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is warning users that this practice will lead to an increased chance of identity theft.

Don't feel too bad if you, like us, are using similar username and password combinations. A quick poll round the office suggests that everyone is doing it. That, warns the ITU, is something thieves and fraudsters will soon cotton on to. The report, as published on the BBC, said:

"This may cause security breaches, and leave them vulnerable to the machinations of identity thieves ever increasing in number and inventiveness. The lack of coordination in identification systems is a source of growing inconvenience to users and needs to be addressed rapidly."

One thing that you must remember (thanks for reminding us bit-tech forums) is that most companies will not ask for your confidential information. There is a rather amusing forum post, where a youngster got counter-hacked for his Steam account. It's definitely worth a read in full but here's an extract:


    br0kenrabbit says:
    Try to log in now.

    Greg_ValveOLS says:
    k

    Greg_ValveOLS says:
    It says login failed wtf wtf!!@?

    br0kenrabbit says:
    Greg

    Greg_ValveOLS says:
    did u ban me???????????>WHY

    br0kenrabbit says:
    Greg

    Greg_ValveOLS says:
    what

    br0kenrabbit says:
    Valve will never ask for your username and password.

    Greg_ValveOLS says:
    what????

    br0kenrabbit says:
    I don't work for Valve dude, but you just got pwnt.


So there you go, you've been warned. Doubtless nobody will go and change all their username and password combos. I know I certainly won't, I'll just wait till the fraud apocalypse hits and we all become victims of cyber-crime.

If, however, you're looking to up your security, uber-geek Steve Gibon has an awesome ultra high security password generator you might want to check out.

Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
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