Still using your birthday to log on?

If you haven’t changed your internet passwords in years, you could be leaving yourself open to scammers and identity thieves.

People across Ireland are being encouraged to mark World Data Protection Day with a Password Spring Clean.

This Saturday, January 28th, is the 17th Data Protection Day, an event held globally to raise awareness and initiate conversations around data privacy, protection and best practices.

“With spring around the corner, Data Protection Day is an ideal time to consider updating your passwords to help keep your digital information safe.” said Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune, a member of the European Parliament’s Internal Market & Consumer Protection Committee and a lead negotiator for the new Artificial Intelligence Act.

“It can be difficult to figure out if someone else is accessing your accounts, but by changing passwords regularly you reduce the risk that others can see your data.

Pick a new password

“The EU Science Hub also has a number of tips for password security. These include the use of passphrases, which are easy to remember, but hard to guess, enabling two-factor authentication, and using password management software, which will help generate and store your passwords.”

MEP Clune highlighted the remarkable change that has occurred since the Council of Europe established the first legally binding international data protection laws on January 28th, 1981 and said constant updates are required to keep up with technological development.

“The EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), strengthened individuals’ rights and placed strict requirements on businesses dealing with consumer data,” she said.