How to improve your security

Make sure all your passwords are different. If you find it difficult to remember lots of different combinations use a password manager. Many of these are free, such as Last Past.

This app has the ability to generate strong, unguessable passwords for all your accounts, which it then stores for you.

There’s no need to remember long, awkward streams of characters, or re-use the same password for multiple accounts.

As you might guess, your manager account will need a really secure password too – but it’s the only one you will have to remember.

Use a phrase that has at least 14 characters.

For example, Ollie Whitehouse suggested a phrase you can remember such as “maryhasalittlelamb”, and then add numbers to break it up. If you already use a Mac or Apple device such as an iPhone or iPad you already have a password manager in the form of iCloud keychain.

It is not as advanced as Last Pass but it would do a good job of gathering and managing strong passwords.

You can also store your credit card details and logins for various wireless networked accounts.

If you don’t already have two-step authentication enabled on all your accounts, turn this on to protect yourself. It gives you an extra layer of safety.

For example, Apple’s two-step verification adds extra security to your ID, and will help prevent people from making purchases in iTunes as well as unauthorised access to your iCloud account.

To turn it on, log into My Apple ID, click Passwords and Security, and navigate to enable two-step verification.

Twitter, Google, Last Pass, Yahoo, Pay Pal and Facebook also offer a two-step option.

For instance with Facebook, just login to your account and navigate to the settings page from the dropdown arrow in the top right corner of the page. Under the security tab click edit next to the login approvals line.

As with companies such as Twitter and Microsoft, you can choose to receive SMS verification codes, or use the Facebook mobile app to verify your identity.

While it is complicated, it will help to secure your details.