How clever is your password? If it’s on the list below, your password is just as easily stolen as it is remembered. The list below contains the 25 most commonly used (and often most easily stolen) passwords in the United States in 2022, according to NordPass Research Insights:
Password
1. guest
2. 123456
3. password
4. 12345
5. a1b2c3
6. 123456789
7. Password1
8. 1234
9. abc123
10. 12345678
11. qwerty
12. baseball
13. football
14. unknown
15. soccer
16. jordan23
17. iloveyou
18. monkey
19. shadow
20. g_czechout
21. 1234567
22. 1q2w3e4r
23. 111111
24. princess
25. basketball
Time to Crack It
10 seconds
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
17 Minutes
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
12 Days
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
<1 second
10 Seconds
Password Hygiene Basics
NordPass recommends the following for creating a strong password and keeping your accounts secure:
- Think long and complex. A complex password is one that contains at least 12 characters and a variety of upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols (?!@#$%^&*). If you’re unsure about how to create a strong password, or get stuck thinking of one, using a password generating tool can help.
- Don’t reuse passwords. A single password for multiple accounts makes a hacker’s job MUCH easier. If only one of the accounts is compromised, all of your other accounts become jeopardized.
- Audit your accounts. Regularly check with accounts you’re still using and which you no longer access. Unused accounts can put your security online at risk because you may not notice when they get breached. You can use the free tool Have I Been Pwned? to quickly and easily check what (if any) data breaches you’ve been involved in.
- Check password strength and update regularly. Regularly assess your password health. Identify weak, reused, or old passwords and fortify your online security with new, complex ones.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) when possible. Many apps and accounts give you the option to turn on “multi-factor authentication.” When logging into an account (such as banking or social media) from a new device, in addition to inputting your password, you’ll be prompted to enter a 6 digit code sent to you via text message, phone call, or authenticator app. This is an added layer of identity-theft protection in addition to your password. You can learn more about MFA here.
To create a more secure password, make sure you are not relying only on numbers, and try to avoid simple keyboard patterns. You may also want to avoid easy-to-find information such as birthdays, favorite sports teams and addresses. Attempt to create a password that is eight or more characters long, using a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters (?!@#$%^), and avoid using the same password for multiple access points.
Cyber Liability policies have become commonplace for businesses, but did you know Personal Cyber policies are growing in popularity for personal insurance as well? For more information on cybersecurity risk solutions or for any questions, contact us today. And remember like us on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn for more tips and industry news.
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