Firms need to increase protection against hackers

Businesses need to take more steps to protect their websites from hackers, according to an expert.

Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at anti-virus software provider Sophos, says: "What we need to do is get any company that's running a website thinking about password security for their users, how to enforce good passwords."

Firms may wish to consider IT outsourcing in order to make sure they have the necessary security precautions, after it emerged this week that a hacker gained access to social messaging utility Twitter.

Mr Cluley said the break-in should be a warning to all companies which store details of users online, saying they need to have adequate security to prevent hackers accessing privileged data.

According to a survey conducted by Accenture, many users underestimate the growing threat of cyber criminals who can sell stolen online identities to make huge profits.

Of those questioned, 88 per cent said personal irresponsibility is the main cause of e-crime and fraud.