Cybersecurity matters more than ever in our digital world, yet some people put their online safety at risk with weak passwords without even knowing. Let’s look at 21 commonly used passwords that hackers can easily crack, leaving your personal information exposed.
Password
It’s wild how many people still use ‘password’ to protect their accounts. This choice is about as effective as leaving your front door wide open. As Twingate points out, hackers always try this first when trying to break in, so do yourself a favor and pick something less obvious to keep the bad guys out.
123456
Next up on the list of password no-nos: ‘123456.’ Sure, it’s an easy one to remember, but it’s also a very simple one for hackers to guess. This sequence tops the charts of most-used passwords worldwide, and both humans and computers can crack it in seconds. Your online security deserves better than this predictable string of numbers.
Qwerty
Keyboard patterns look clever at first glance, but they’re actually a hacker’s dream. Take ‘qwerty,’ for example – it’s just the first six letters on your keyboard. Cybercriminals know this trick all too well and always include it in their initial guessing attempts. Time to think outside the keyboard and get a bit more creative with your passwords.
Admin
Using ‘admin’ as your password is like waving a red flag at hackers. This particular password is often the default for many systems, making it a prime target for cybercriminals. Even for personal accounts, it screams, ‘I didn’t try very hard,’ so you should try a unique, tough-to-crack alternative instead.
Welcome
‘Welcome’ might sound friendly, but this popular word shows up in tons of password lists used by cybercriminals. Its popularity makes it super easy to guess in automated attacks, so we recommend picking something less obvious for your online accounts.
Letmein
Another popular and extremely easy-to-guess password is ‘letmein.’ Hackers know this password all too well, so it’s basically like an open invitation. It’s both predictable and way too common, frequently appearing on lists of cracked passwords.
Football
It’s expected for many sports fans to use something like ‘football’ as their password, but its popularity puts it high on the list of words hackers try first. While the love for the game is admirable, it’s not doing any favors for your online safety. Always take cybersecurity more seriously by choosing a less predictable password.
Iloveyou
Expressing your feelings through your password sounds sweet, but ‘iloveyou’ is about as secure as a paper lock. This phrase pops up in data breaches all the time, showing just how widely it’s used. Hackers know it’s popular and always include it in their guessing.
Dragon
Fantasy-inspired passwords like ‘dragon’ are cool, but they’re also pretty common. Lots of folks draw from pop culture when creating passwords, making these choices easy to predict. Cybercriminals are up to date with trends, so this is never a good idea.
Monkey
Animal names are go-to password choices for many, with ‘monkey’ swinging to the top of the list. Its frequent appearance in breach reports shows just how popular and vulnerable it is. Hackers know people often use pet names or favorite animals, so always try to go for something less obvious.
Master
Another password that some may think is strong enough is ‘master,’ but this simple word is an easy one for hackers. So many people use this that it’s now a regular in password-cracking dictionaries. The real control of our online security comes by choosing more complex and unique passwords.
Sunshine
Some nature-inspired passwords like ‘sunshine’ are extremely popular but also well-known by hackers. They might seem bright and cheery when setting them up, but they are some of the first to show up in security breaches, showing their vulnerability.
Baseball
Just like ‘football,’ ‘baseball’ is also chosen by fans way too many times, making it an easy-to-crack option. A password like this is just too simple, and hackers will not struggle at all to access your information, so always be mindful of this when choosing a new password.
Princess
Fairy tale passwords are more common than you’d think. Lots of folks, especially younger users, go for whimsical terms and fairy tale-related passwords like ‘princess.’ Hackers know these words well, which is why they always include them in their searches.
Superman
Superhero names make for super weak passwords. ‘Superman’ is a prime example of how pop culture references often end up as account credentials. Sadly, its popularity makes it an easy target for cybercriminals. Protect your digital identity with higher-level security by avoiding such obvious choices.
Trustno1
‘Trustno1’ might sound security-savvy, but it’s actually a well-known password. Its appearance in pop culture, like ‘The X-Files,’ has made it a regular pick. Ironically, using this password shows you’re trusting hackers not to guess it. Prove you really trust no one by creating a truly unique password.
Shadow
‘Shadow’ sounds mysterious, but not for hackers. Many folks choose it, thinking it sounds secretive or cool; however, its frequent use makes it an easy target for hackers. Avoid this easy password to guarantee yourself better security.
Cheese
Food-related passwords like ‘cheese’ are also surprisingly popular since people tend to pick words tied to their favorite eats or snacks. This predictability makes such passwords easy targets for cybercriminals, so it’s never a good idea to go for something like this.
123123
Repeating number sequences like ‘123123’ is considered clever, but they’re just as weak as ‘123456.’ These patterns are easy for humans to remember and, unfortunately, for machines to guess. Hackers use algorithms that quickly spot such repetitive sequences, so go for a truly random mix of characters instead.
666666
Some people think that repeating a single digit, like in “666666,” makes for a strong password. This is not as unique as they might think it is; it’s actually quite common. Hackers can easily crack such passwords using brute-force methods that try every possible combo.
Hello
Saying “hello” to hackers with your password is a well-known trick. This simple, everyday word shows up way too frequently in data breaches, proving just how popular it is as a password choice. It’s time to say goodbye to this weak password and embrace better security habits.
Up Next: 18 Worrying Facts About Life in Medieval Times
The Middle Ages, also known as the medieval period, lasted from 500 AD to 1500 AD and is usually subdivided into the Early, High, and Late Middle Ages. Life in the medieval period was often brutal, with gruesome punishments, wars, and plagues. Here are 18 terrifying facts about life in the medieval period.
18 Worrying Facts About Life in Medieval Times
19 Easy Ways to Fall Back Asleep After Waking Up in the Middle of the Night
We’ve all been there—it’s dark, quiet, and you’re tired, but you’re still constantly tossing and turning, only to finally fall asleep minutes before the alarm goes off! Waking up throughout the night isn’t just frustrating; it also seriously impacts your energy levels. This article focuses on 19 scientifically proven methods that may help you drift back off more easily.
19 Easy Ways to Fall Back Asleep After Waking Up in the Middle of the Night
17 Things That Are Too Woke For Boomers
Our society is so different from what it was decades ago, and boomers don’t like much of what everyone considers normal in today’s society. In this light, here are 17 things about ‘woke culture’ that particularly make boomers uncomfortable.