Farmers’ Guide to Cybersecurity
Passwords are the first lock to your online privacy. Just as a poor lock on your gate will allow anyone in, a weak password can allow anyone access to your personal information, including automated farm equipment and even bank accounts.
Have I Been Pwned is a website designed by Australian Troy Hunt that contains millions of records of compromised accounts and passwords. The website is utilised by law enforcement agencies to monitor data breaches. But importantly, you can use it to help protect your online accounts. For this activity we will be exploring how secure different passwords are, including your own.
Before visiting Have I Been Pwned, watch the following video for a little information about the website and what to do if you have been in a data breach.
In February 2024, US government agencies were compromised from a supply chain attack involving software from a company called SolarWinds. Cybercriminals exploited a vulnerability that allowed them to infiltrate companies that were using the SolarWinds software and gain access to their email communications. It is believed that hackers were able to gain access due to the accidental leaking of a weak password, “solarwinds123.” This case emphasises that even professional IT companies can make grave errors when it comes to passwords. Furthermore, it highlights the significant flow on effects that can occur when a password is leaked.
Full story: The Most Significant Password Breaches Of 2021 | Expert Insights
