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CNN Live Today

Many Passwords Easily Cracked

Aired March 12, 2002 - 13:57   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: In today's world of computers, many of us have more passwords than keys, it appears sometimes. While both serve the some basic purpose, you might be surprised to learn how vulnerable many passwords are to the old-fashioned guesswork.

Andrew Brown in Hong Kong had a look at that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANDREW BROWN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just think of all the things on your desk. They may mean nothing at all. They may also help someone crack your computer password and then, masquerading as you, send e-mails, files, even plunder your online bank account.

According to a recent British study, passwords are often based on something obvious. Around 50 percent of computer users base them on the name of family member, partner, or pet, 30 percent on a pop idol or sporting hero. That could be a problem.

HELEN PETRIE, CITY UNIVERSITY, LONDON: Particularly, say, if you're a fan of a football club, then you might well have something related to that football club around your desk at the office. You might have a mug or a pennant or something. If someone comes and wants to try and quickly hack into your system, they look around your desk, they see something for your football club; then might try using that as your password.

BROWN: It is not always that easy. Psychologists say passwords often reflect something about our subconscious. Users may not even know what inspires them to choose one word rather than another.

PETRIE: It seems to be something about the first thing that comes into your mind when you're asked to give a password.

BROWN: Petrie's suggests 10 percent of passwords reflect some kind of fantasy; often these contain sexual references. And 10 percent use cryptic combinations; they are among the toughest to break.

Although financial institutions advise their online customers to enhance security by using random words and letters and to change a password frequently.

EUGENE LAW, CASH FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP: You know that the strongest fastest computer in the states still takes some time for to you crack a strong password.

BROWN: Experts say whatever you do don't base a password on your own name or date of birth. And when asked to select a password, don't simply type in "password"; that isn't too hard to crack.

Andrew Brown, CNN, Hong Kong.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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