Broadband users advised to create separate passwords

Broadband users should take care to create separate passwords for each website they sign up to in order to avoid online fraud, a leading expert claims.

According to Home Office statistics, losses from internet fraud exceeded £212 million in 2006, which was an increase of 16 per cent on 2005 figures.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, advised that internet users should ensure to create different log in details for every website to increase levels of security.

By doing this, any security breach would not result in every website that a user regularly visits being vulnerable to internet criminals.

Mr Cluley advised that it "doesn't really matter" if passwords are the same for "less sensitive" websites, such as forums or message boards, but dictionary words should be avoided.

However, it is essential that passwords are kept independent and as complex as possible for online banking sites or transaction accounts.

"When it's critical information like financial information or something to do with your identity, then you should be using different passwords," he warned.

A recent survey of 800 people in the US and UK by Accenture revealed that 88 per cent of respondents believe that personal irresponsibility is the main source of online identity fraud.