How to protect your online passwords

There are several ways to help prevent cyber-criminals from accessing your online accounts, says Ruth Jackson-Kirby.

Easyjet website © Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
Easyjet lost nine million customers' details © Getty
(Image credit: Easyjet website © Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)

Nine million EasyJet customers have had their emails and travel details hacked in a cyber-attack. The airline says all affected customers should change their password for the site. But even if you aren’t an EasyJet customer, it is worth thinking about making your passwords safer.

Cyber-criminals seem to have little trouble working them out. On average we all have seven passwords for sale on the dark web, according to ClearScore, a financial technology group. The dark web is the part of the internet that is invisible to search engines, and criminals use it to exchange goods and data. A new free service, ClearScore Protect, will scan the dark web to see if any passwords associated with your email address are for sale. Taking the time to scan your own email address can be eye opening. I thought I was pretty secure but found that four of my passwords were available on the dark web.

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Ruth Jackson-Kirby

Ruth Jackson-Kirby is a freelance personal finance journalist with 17 years’ experience, writing about everything from savings accounts and credit cards to pensions, property and pet insurance.

Ruth started her career at MoneyWeek after graduating with an MA from the University of St Andrews, and she continues to contribute regular articles to our personal finance section. After leaving MoneyWeek she went on to become deputy editor of Moneywise before becoming a freelance journalist.

Ruth writes regularly for national publications including The Sunday Times, The Times, The Mail on Sunday and Good Housekeeping, among many other titles both online and offline.