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Hackers Love These Passwords: Are Yours On The List?
18 Nov
Summary
- "123456" remains the most common global password, easily hackable.
- NordPass noted an increase in special characters in common passwords.
- Strong passwords should be at least 20 characters with diverse elements.
The pervasive use of simple, easily hackable passwords continues to pose a significant cybersecurity risk. For the seventh consecutive year, NordPass has identified the most common passwords used globally, with "123456" retaining its top position. Other frequently leaked passwords include "Admin" and "12345678," making millions of accounts susceptible to breaches.
This year's findings also highlight a growing trend in the use of special characters within common passwords, exemplified by phrases like "P@ssw0rd" and "Abcd@1234." These additions, while seemingly increasing complexity, often remain within predictable patterns for sophisticated hacking attempts. NordPass collaborated with NordSteller, analyzing data from public breaches and the dark web to compile its list.
To combat these vulnerabilities, cybersecurity experts strongly recommend creating unique, complex passwords exceeding 20 characters, combining letters, numbers, and symbols. The adoption of multi-factor authentication and password managers, which can generate and store secure, randomized passwords, is also crucial for safeguarding personal data against evolving cyber threats.
