{"id":8792,"date":"2017-03-14T10:50:31","date_gmt":"2017-03-14T17:50:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.hellotech.com\/?p=8792"},"modified":"2024-07-15T14:02:45","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T21:02:45","slug":"most-common-passwords-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hellotech.com\/blog\/most-common-passwords-2016","title":{"rendered":"The Most Common Passwords of 2016: Is One of Them Yours?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

On January 13, password manager and digital vault Keeper announced on its blog that it had conducted a research study to find the most common passwords of 2016. They focused on 10 million passwords that were uncovered during several data breaches that occurred last year, although they did not include passwords that appeared only in just one breach.<\/p>\n\n\n

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image: NakedSecurity<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The results were mind-blowing, to say the least. First of all, the top 25 list included common and easy-to-guess passwords, such as 123456 (which actually garnered the top spot) and its variations like 1234567, 12345678, 123456789, and 1234567890. \u201cQwerty\u201d, \u201cqwertyuiop\u201d, \u201cgoogle\u201d, and (worryingly enough) \u201cpassword\u201d also made the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeper reveals that the top 25 most common passwords account for more than 50 percent of the 10 million passwords that they studied. They also note that \u201c123456\u201d was used by 17 percent of users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are these findings important?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When you glance at these findings, you might simply think that many people are not so creative with their password choices. However, it goes beyond creativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a deeper level, the fact that these easy-to-remember-but-also-easy-to-crack passwords appear on the top 25 list means that a lot of people are at risk of identity theft and other cyber crimes. Despite repeated warnings from tech experts, millions of internet users are still using passwords that are not safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sure, some users try to increase their safety by using \u201cunique\u201d passwords. This is evidenced by combinations such as \u201c1q2w3e4r\u201d, \u201c1q2w3e4r5t\u201d, and \u201c123qwe\u201d. Still, the fact that these passwords appear on Keeper\u2019s top 25 list (rank 17, 22, and 23, respectively) mean that users\u2019 efforts are not enough and that much stronger passwords are needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The study also reflects the fact that website operators are not taking their responsibility seriously. It can\u2019t be denied that it\u2019s the users\u2019 responsibility to set unique and difficult-to-break passwords for their online accounts. However, operators also have the obligation to configure their websites in such a way that they won\u2019t accept simple passwords. If these configurations are in place, users will have no choice but to come up with better and stronger passwords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do\u2019s and Dont\u2019s<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What should you do if your passwords are on the top 25 list of most common passwords? Here are some guidelines you can use:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DO<\/i><\/h3>\n\n\n\n