Ebay has asked its users to change their passwords following a cyberattack that compromised the site's database.

The database, which was compromised between late February and early March, included eBay customers' names, encrypted password, email address, physical addresses, phone numbers and dates of birth. 

However, extensive tests carried out by the company on its networks confirmed the breach had not resulted in any unauthorised activity for its users or compromise of their financial data. 

Ebay said it was "best practice" for users to change their passwords as it would "help enhance security for eBay users".

Sky's Technology Correspondent Tom Cheshire said: "The initial attack was a long time ago; eBay employee's log-ins were compromised, they investigated this and found that a lot of their database had been compromised.

"A lot of people use the same password for different sites. The criminal who made off with that information could now be targeting your other websites so it makes a lot of sense to change it now."

The company owns PayPal added it has seen no evidence of unauthorised access or compromises to personal or financial information for PayPal users as the data is stored on a separate, encrypted network.

EBay users are expected to be notified via email later today to change their passwords.