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We have more newsletters Thank you for subscribing! Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox See Our See Our We have more newsletters Thank you for subscribing! Thank you for subscribing! Something went wrong, please try again later. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox Brandyn Murtagh, who utilises his expertise to assist companies in identifying and addressing their digital security weaknesses, left volunteers astounded during a security evaluation by uncovering their passwords using solely publicly accessible data breaches - including credentials still in active use. He additionally exposed personal information such as their home address, telephone number and even recent locations they had visited, all details that fraudsters could potentially exploit to infiltrate their other online accounts or commit identity theft. Following his successful password revelations, he collaborated with participants to secure their accounts and shared his essential recommendations - never reuse identical passwords, employ a minimum of 14 characters with random phrases, and always activate two-factor authentication wherever feasible. Brandyn has been enlisted by Virgin Media O2 to assist in making Britons password-secure this summer, following company research which disclosed that more than one in 20 Britons have employed the term 'password' as their actual password. The survey of 2,000 adults also uncovered that an identical proportion (7%) have similarly used 'password1' as their login credentials, reports the Express. Murray Mackenzie, director of fraud prevention at the organisation, commented: "We're seeing a trend where, despite people worrying about online threats, weak and short passwords are putting them at risk. "That's why we're lifting the lid on how easy it is for cybercriminals with the right know-how to get their hands on your data and passwords online - and providing quick, simple steps to help people protect themselves." A significant number of people are still using basic password combinations such as 123456 and 123456789, with six in ten adults admitting to this practice despite the increasing risk of online scams. Around 45% of individuals continue to use the same old combinations they've always used, even though they know it's not advisable, and 11% see no problem in sticking to their predictable choices. The study also revealed that 32% of people use their children's or pet's names as passwords, while 14% even include their own date of birth. It was found that 27% have never changed the password for an email account, and 35% haven't bothered updating their bank account password. While 25% utilise a password manager to help them remember their details, 22% write them down somewhere. Interestingly, 29% of those who don't use a password manager cite fear of being locked out as the main reason. Among the 37% who have had their online security compromised, only 26% eventually update their password. The task of changing passwords is viewed as more daunting than untangling a drawer full of charging cables (15%), enduring a three-hour meeting that could've been an email (9%), or stepping on a plug with bare feet (6%). The study also showed that Boomers are more cautious than Gen Z when it comes to securing their accounts. Only 20% of the older generation, according to a OnePoll survey, admit to having an easy-to-guess password, compared to 43% of Gen Zs. Murray Mackenzie, a spokesperson for Virgin Media O2, stated: "We're working tirelessly to keep customers safe from cybercriminals - blocking millions of fraudulent texts, malware and spyware, and flagging harmful websites and suspicious calls. "But with bad actors stopping at nothing to access your accounts, we all need to take action to stay safe online from fraud. That starts with using strong, unique passwords - especially for your email, phone, social media, and online banking."