How long were the nuclear launch codes in the US just "00000000"?

According to a former Air Force launch officer, the nuclear launch codes in the United States were simply eight zeros between 1962 and the mid-1970s, meaning the world's most powerful weapons were just a handful of digits away from being activated for over a decade.

How did a 158-year-old UK transport company KNP go under in 2023?

In June 2023, the 158-year-old transport company KNP in eastern England was targeted by hackers who gained access by guessing an employee's password. Unable to pay the ransom, KNP was forced to shut down, resulting in hundreds of job losses.

Home / Technology / Hackers Exploit Weak Passwords, Topple Businesses and Expose Sensitive Data

Hackers Exploit Weak Passwords, Topple Businesses and Expose Sensitive Data

Q: What happened to the Colonial Pipeline in 2021?

The Colonial Pipeline, one of the largest fuel pipeline systems in the United States, was paralyzed by a cyberattack in May 2021 after hackers accessed the company's network using a compromised password. The attack forced Colonial Pipeline to pay a $4.4 million ransom to regain control of its operations.

10 Nov

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Summary

Colonial Pipeline hacked due to compromised password, paid $4.4M ransom
Nuclear launch codes were just "00000000" for over a decade
158-year-old UK transport company KNP went under after hackers guessed employee's password

Hackers Exploit Weak Passwords, Topple Businesses and Expose Sensitive Data

Over the past several years, a series of high-profile security breaches have exposed the alarming consequences of weak password practices. In May 2021, one of the largest fuel pipeline systems in the United States, Colonial Pipeline, was paralyzed by a cyberattack after hackers accessed the company's network using a compromised password. The attack forced Colonial Pipeline to pay a $4.4 million ransom to regain control of its operations.

Shockingly, the issue of lax password security extends even to the highest levels of national security. According to a former Air Force launch officer, between 1962 and the mid-1970s, the nuclear launch codes in the United States were simply eight zeros. This meant that for over a decade, the world's most powerful weapons were just a handful of digits away from being activated.