Personal Data Theft on the Rise; Experts Urge Regular Password Changes

[Staff Report]

As the number of internet users has soared in recent years, so have cases of stolen account passwords. A university computer center in the North District said yesterday it has received more than ten reports of student accounts being used by others this semester.

Industry estimates put the number of internet users in Taiwan above four million this year. Dial-up, e-mail and chat rooms are becoming common, and many people now have several accounts.

Computer center staff said most cases are not the work of "hackers" but of passwords that are too simple. "A lot of people use their birthday, their phone number, or their own name. A password like that can be guessed in seconds."

Other common mistakes, the staffer said, include writing passwords on sticky notes next to the monitor, using the same password on many sites, and never changing a program's default password. "Lots of software comes with a default username and password, and users never change it."

The staffer also reminded users to log out after using public computers at internet cafes or school labs, so the next person cannot walk straight into their account.

Passwords should mix letters and numbers and be changed regularly, the staffer advised, and should avoid easily guessed combinations such as birthdays and names.

Reader DiscussionReplies 17

Netizen A-Te88.05.02

a bit scared after reading this I've used the same password for five years
↳ Passerby88.05.02

me too and it's the same everywhere
but I can't think how to remember that many
↳ Steven88.05.03

I always use my English name plus my birthday that way I never forget
one for everything never forgotten it once
↳ Netizen A-Te88.05.03

isn't that exactly what the article told you not to use XD
↳ Steven88.05.03

haha I know
but in my line of work I'm running around all day can't remember that many
and who would bother guessing mine
↳ Passerby88.05.04

is the guy above a reporter or something
↳ Steven88.05.04

sort of
Reader Mr. Ho88.05.06

can I print this and post it at my office
↳ Information Office88.05.07

Hello, you are welcome to quote our reports; please cite the source. Thank you.
Netizen Hsiao-lu88.05.11

the school computer labs should read this too
Reader Mrs. Lu88.05.18

does the paper have an e-mail newsletter I can subscribe to
↳ Information Office88.05.19

Hello, for subscriptions please call the Reader Service Line. Thank you.
Reader Mrs. Ho88.05.23

Happy birthday Steven!
that last piece was really good my whole family read it
↳ Netizen Hsiao-lu88.05.23

that one was really useful I changed my password as soon as I got home
↳ Steven88.05.24

thanks you're too kind
Reader Miss Kao88.08.05

can I look up old articles at the paper's office
↳ Information Office88.08.06

Hello, for archive requests please call the Reader Service Line. Thank you.

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Personal Data Theft on the Rise; Experts Urge Regular Password Changes

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