Why it matters: A new analysis of 2.5TB of data by NordPass reveals millions of users continue to rely on easily-crackable passwords, with “123456” remaining the most popular choice for personal and corporate accounts. As The Verge suggests, this widespread practice leaves users vulnerable to instant hacking attempts.
The Data: The study shows alarming password habits across 44 countries:
- “123456” used by over 4.5 million accounts (Hothardware)
- All top 10 passwords crackable in under one second
- Corporate passwords mirror personal ones in weakness
Security Gap: Despite years of warnings, password practices show little improvement. Only 30% of users employ password managers, while 52% of Americans reuse passwords across multiple accounts. More concerning, 13% of users rely on the same password for every account they own.
Expert Recommendations: Security experts advise using passwords at least 12-16 characters long, combining uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Password managers offer a solution by generating and storing unique credentials, though adoption rates remain low at just 30% of users. The persistence of weak passwords, despite increased cyber threats and regular data breaches, highlights a critical gap between security awareness and practice. With cyber-attacks becoming more advanced, sticking to simple passwords like “123456” is a growing risk. It’s time for users to adopt stronger security habits and tools to stay safe.
