• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Certain passwords to be banned in the UK under major law change

Home> News> Tech News

Published 11:18 1 May 2024 GMT+1

Certain passwords to be banned in the UK under major law change

The new law will change how we choose our passwords

Tom Bryden

Tom Bryden

When’s the last time you changed your smart TV’s password?

If you’re like most people, the answer to that question is probably never.

Chances are, your smart TV, smart speaker, video doorbell or WiFi router came out of its box with a password like 'admin' or '123456', and you haven’t thought about it since.

Advert

This leaves internet-connected gadgets vulnerable to attacks from hackers, who scan hundreds of thousands of devices at a time using shortlists of the most common passwords.

But if you’re someone who puts off updating passwords, don’t panic – because weak default passwords are now banned under a new UK law to boost cybersecurity.

Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty
Witthaya Prasongsin / Getty

The world-first law, which came into force on Monday, bans tech companies from shipping devices that come with common default passwords.

Advert

Instead, users will be prompted to change the password on set-up and will be made to choose again if they choose something easily guessable.

And it looks like this law is needed too – because the UK’s top three favourite passwords are the super-secure '123456', 'password', and 'qwerty'.

Also up there is 'liverpool', 'arsenal', and, at number 15, 'cheese', according to password manager NordVPN.

Smart home devices are particularly vulnerable to hacks, according to research by consumer experts Which?, who found that a home filled with smart devices could receive more than 12,000 hacking attempts a week.

Advert

Cravetiger / Getty Images
Cravetiger / Getty Images

Testers were able to eavesdrop on conversations after gaining remote control over an older Amazon Echo that had stopped receiving security updates.

Even more terrifyingly, the ethical hackers were able to access the audio and video feed from a baby monitor after retrieving the password – which could even let them speak through the device.

Fortunately, however, thanks to the new law - called the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure act - all manufacturers must make sure their devices come with basic protection against cyber attacks.

Advert

All internet-connected devices are covered, including smart speakers, fitness trackers, tablets, and even smart fridges and light bulbs.

The law also ensures manufacturers provide a clear point of contact where users can report bugs and other security issues, and tell users the minimum time for which the device will receive important security updates.

SOPA Images / Getty
SOPA Images / Getty

It’s hoped that the changes will provide a huge boost to the UK’s cyber security, and help stop hacks such as the 2016 Mirai attack, which saw 300,000 smart devices compromised and left the US East Coast without internet.

Advert

Minister for Cyber, Viscount Camrose said: “As every-day life becomes increasingly dependent on connected devices, the threats generated by the internet multiply and become even greater.

“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.”

Featured Image Credit: SEAN GLADWELL/Yuichiro Chino/Getty
Cybersecurity
Tech News
Amazon Alexa

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Experts urge people to act fast as 19,000,000,000 passwords are leaked in major hack
  • A shocking number of passwords can be hacked in a minute and yours could be one of them
  • Urgent warning issued to to all 1,800,000,000 iPhone users to disable this feature
  • iOS 18.5 labeled 'nonsense update' as fans call out major issues still waiting to be fixed

Choose your content:

16 hours ago
17 hours ago
  • 16 hours ago

    Klarna reports shocking losses as users stop repaying their loans

    Buy now, pay later giant Klarna is having major trouble on the market

    News
  • 17 hours ago

    Elon Musk gives one-word response to brutal article detailing his 'decline'

    The world's richest man didn't hold back

    News
  • 17 hours ago

    The 'real cost' of AI's energy footprint revealed and it's having a shocking impact on the planet

    All that clever tech comes at a heavy cost for the environment

    News
  • 17 hours ago

    Kim Jong Un issues disturbing statement after warship is damaged during extravagant launch ceremony

    The North Korean leader was quick to point the blame

    News