A password that can be easy to guess or crack, such as a normally used word or phrase, numeric numbers, a dictionary word, personal information, or a simple pattern, is considered as worst password. The main drawback of such passwords is that they can be easily guessed or cracked by malicious people or automated hacking tools, leading to unauthorized access to your system. This can result in various security issues, including data theft, identity theft, and financial loss. A worst password can also leave your system vulnerable to phishing attacks, malware, and other types of cybercrime.
Here are the world’s top ten worst passwords
- password
- 123456
- 123456789
- guest
- qwerty
- 12345678
- 111111
- 12345
- col123456
- 123123
There are several ways that people use passwords to protect their accounts and important information.
- Simple passwords: Some people use simple passwords that are easy to remember but also easy to crack. Examples include single words, simple patterns of characters, or personal information.
- Reusing passwords: Some people use the same password for multiple accounts, which is not recommended as hackers can easily gain access to various accounts by cracking just one password.
- Writing down passwords: Some people write down their passwords and leave them in plain sight, which can be a security risk if someone else finds them.
- Using password manager: A password manager is a software that can store and encrypt your password, it can generate strong random passwords and autofill them when you need to login, this can be an excellent way to use a strong and unique password for all your accounts.
- Two-Factor Authentication: Some people use two-factor authentication, which adds an additional layer of security to their accounts by requiring a second form of verification, such as a fingerprint or a code sent to a mobile device, in addition to a password.
There are too many credentials to manage bank accounts, social media, applications, email access etc; on average, an individual needs to hold 70-80 passwords. According to the Lastpass report, 92% of people know using the same password for all accounts is highly risky, still, 65% of people use it.
Using easily guessable passwords is an extremely insecure way to protect your accounts and information, and it’s strongly discouraged. it’s better to use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters and ensure the password is not easily guessable by anyone.
On password management and security, the Indian computer emergency response team, CERT-In, has issued an advisory and best password security practices.
It’s important to use strong and unique passwords for each online account, avoid reusing the same password, and consider using a password manager or two-factor authentication for added security.
Also Read: Credentials database theft, reused passwords dangerous entryway
