Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have issued a guide for contractors and others affected by the running out of unique internet address to help them implement the next generation Internet Protocol (IPv6) securely.

The guidelines describe the features of IPv6 and the potential security risks, mechanisms that will be used to deploy the initiative.

Rising popularity of internet devices such as smartphones and netbooks means that IP addresses available under the current Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) are rapidly running out.

Lead author Sheila Frankel said: "The Internet protocol pervades every aspect of computer communications" and explained that deploying IPv6 will be a major task.

This comes after contractors with smartphones were warned that an increase in system bugs is to be expected.

BroadbandGenie.co.uk said that as smartphones develop in complexity, the capacity for bugs in the operating system also rises.