William H. Dutton and Luna Rohland
July 24, 2024
This video is part of: Centre for Cybersecurity
In today's digital age, our online accounts are more important than ever. They store our personal information, financial data, and even access to our loved ones. However, many people still use weak and easily guessable passwords, putting their accounts at risk of being hacked.
NordPass, a password management company, recently released a list of the 200 most common passwords used worldwide. The results are alarming: 17 of the top 20 passwords can be cracked in less than a second. The most common password, "123456," has been the top-ranking password for four of the past five years.
This widespread use of weak passwords makes it easy for hackers to gain access to accounts. In fact, 86% of cyberattacks use stolen credentials. This means that if your password is weak, it's only a matter of time before a hacker gets their hands on it.
Regularly change your passwords, including those for email, social media, banking, and other crucial accounts. Employ strong passwords that are at least 20 characters long and contain a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
Avoid using easily guessed information, such as your birthday, name, or common words. Refrain from reusing old passwords; once you've used a password, never use it again for another account. Utilize a password manager to assist you in generating and storing strong passwords for all of your accounts.
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