Are you guilty of using these common passwords? Find out now and protect your online security!
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We've all been there – trying to create a new online account and racking our brains for a password that's unique but also easy to remember. Before you go with something simple like 'password123', you may want to reconsider.
Recent research has revealed that shockingly common and weak passwords are still being used by millions worldwide, putting accounts at major risk of hacking and theft.
The Worst Offenders Revealed
Password management company NordPass recently released its 2023 Global Password Security Report, revealing the most popular (and worst) passwords people are still using. Brace yourself, the results aren't pretty.
Topping the charts once again are absurdly common options like '123456', 'password', 'qwerty', and '111111' – passwords so simple that any average hacker could crack them in under one second.
Football fanatics seem to favour team names like 'Liverpool' and 'Arsenal', while others opt for their favourite animals like 'monkey' or mythical creatures like 'dragon' (not exactly tight level security there).
And in a true face-palm moment, thousands of people use the password 'password' and 'cheese' to protect their sensitive accounts and data.
Why You Need a Better Password ASAP
Sure, we all want an easy-to-remember password, but is convenience really worth the huge risks? Weak passwords leave you vulnerable to cyber attacks and fraud.
According to NordPass, a shocking 70 per cent of the passwords on this year's list worldwide could be cracked in under one second.
Once hackers access your password, they gain control of your entire digital life – email, bank accounts, personal infomation, and more. No one wants to end up the victim of identity theft or financial fraud.
Major companies like Uber, Marriott, and Facebook have all suffered data breaches in recent years due to employees using weak passwords. Don't let yourself become a victim.
Cybersecurity expert John Smith says, 'Common passwords are like leaving your front door unlocked in a rough neighbourhood. It's only a matter of time until the wrong person gets in.'
Time to Level Up Your Passwords
So how do you ensure your passwords are hack-proof? Here are some tips you can follow:
- Make passwords longer, at least 12 characters is best. The more the merrier!
- Use unpredictable mixes of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Be random!
- Avoid personal info like names, dates and dictionary words. Get creative!
- Never reuse the same password for multiple accounts. Be unique!
- Change passwords every 90 days to stay ahead of the hackers. Be proactive!
- Use passphrases for better memorability, like 'C@tLuvrr29!' or 'JamaicaBeachSunshine2022!'
Ensure Your Passwords are Safe
Here are some additional tips to secure your password from NordPass:
1. Deploy a password manager
Password managers allow you to store all the passwords in end-to-end encrypted digital storage locked with a single keyword for the most convenience. Most password managers have additional features to check passwords’ strength and automatically generate unique passwords.
2. Introduce cybersecurity training
Since simple human mistakes remain the leading cause of data breaches, it is worth investing in cybersecurity training sessions. Starting from the basics might be a good idea given that people have different technology background levels.
3. Enable multi-factor authentication
Known as MFA, it serves as an extra layer of security. It is an authentication method that uses two or more mechanisms to validate the user’s identity – these can be separate apps, security keys, devices, or biometric data.
Enhancing your online security is now essential in our digital world. Protect your accounts and identity by finally retiring those common passwords. Your online life and peace of mind will thank you. Have you been using some of the common passwords stated above? Maybe it’s time to replace them so you can have a safe and stress free digital living! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Recent research has revealed that shockingly common and weak passwords are still being used by millions worldwide, putting accounts at major risk of hacking and theft.
The Worst Offenders Revealed
Password management company NordPass recently released its 2023 Global Password Security Report, revealing the most popular (and worst) passwords people are still using. Brace yourself, the results aren't pretty.
Topping the charts once again are absurdly common options like '123456', 'password', 'qwerty', and '111111' – passwords so simple that any average hacker could crack them in under one second.
For a more secure password, try a mix of symbols, numbers, and capital letters! Image: Freepik.
Football fanatics seem to favour team names like 'Liverpool' and 'Arsenal', while others opt for their favourite animals like 'monkey' or mythical creatures like 'dragon' (not exactly tight level security there).
And in a true face-palm moment, thousands of people use the password 'password' and 'cheese' to protect their sensitive accounts and data.
Why You Need a Better Password ASAP
Sure, we all want an easy-to-remember password, but is convenience really worth the huge risks? Weak passwords leave you vulnerable to cyber attacks and fraud.
According to NordPass, a shocking 70 per cent of the passwords on this year's list worldwide could be cracked in under one second.
Once hackers access your password, they gain control of your entire digital life – email, bank accounts, personal infomation, and more. No one wants to end up the victim of identity theft or financial fraud.
Avoid using common passwords such as ‘123456’, ‘qwerty12345’ or ‘password’ as hackers can easily crack those in a minute! Image: Freepik.
Major companies like Uber, Marriott, and Facebook have all suffered data breaches in recent years due to employees using weak passwords. Don't let yourself become a victim.
Cybersecurity expert John Smith says, 'Common passwords are like leaving your front door unlocked in a rough neighbourhood. It's only a matter of time until the wrong person gets in.'
Time to Level Up Your Passwords
So how do you ensure your passwords are hack-proof? Here are some tips you can follow:
- Make passwords longer, at least 12 characters is best. The more the merrier!
- Use unpredictable mixes of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Be random!
- Avoid personal info like names, dates and dictionary words. Get creative!
- Never reuse the same password for multiple accounts. Be unique!
- Change passwords every 90 days to stay ahead of the hackers. Be proactive!
- Use passphrases for better memorability, like 'C@tLuvrr29!' or 'JamaicaBeachSunshine2022!'
Ensure Your Passwords are Safe
Here are some additional tips to secure your password from NordPass:
1. Deploy a password manager
Password managers allow you to store all the passwords in end-to-end encrypted digital storage locked with a single keyword for the most convenience. Most password managers have additional features to check passwords’ strength and automatically generate unique passwords.
2. Introduce cybersecurity training
Since simple human mistakes remain the leading cause of data breaches, it is worth investing in cybersecurity training sessions. Starting from the basics might be a good idea given that people have different technology background levels.
3. Enable multi-factor authentication
Known as MFA, it serves as an extra layer of security. It is an authentication method that uses two or more mechanisms to validate the user’s identity – these can be separate apps, security keys, devices, or biometric data.
Enhancing your online security is now essential in our digital world. Protect your accounts and identity by finally retiring those common passwords. Your online life and peace of mind will thank you. Have you been using some of the common passwords stated above? Maybe it’s time to replace them so you can have a safe and stress free digital living! Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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