Password management experts NordPass have partnered with independent researchers from 35 countries to release their fifth annual list of the top 200 most stolen passwords. Of the world’s 20 most common passwords, 17 can be cracked in less than a second. The study showed that 86% of cyberattacks use stolen credentials and that online accounts, emails and passwords make up almost 20% of the most sold items on the dark web.
The study also revealed the most common passwords based on categories. For example, “123456” is the most common password for e-commerce sites, email accounts, electronic devices and streaming services, while “UNKNOWN” came in first for social media platforms, financial accounts and smartphones.
Make sure your passwords don’t make next year’s list by following these cybersecurity fundamentals:
- Use complex passwords.Your HM password must be at least 15 characters long and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special symbols. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays, names or common words.
- Never reuse passwords.Never use the same password across multiple sites or services. If one account gets compromised, all your accounts — and HM patient data and systems — could be at risk.
- Check your passwords. Take time to regularly assess your password health. Identify weak, old or reused passwords, and improve them with newer, more complex ones for enhanced security.
