Top 10 Worst Passwords in the World – Everything You Need to Know
In this era of advancements and an ever-expanding online presence, it is crucial to emphasise the importance of creating strong and secure passwords. Surprisingly, despite knowledge about cybersecurity threats, many users still rely on predictable and easily compromised passwords for their social media accounts, such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat or others. Here is a list of the world’s top 10 worst passwords.
Top 10 Worst Passwords in the World–
123456
Unsurprisingly, “123456” still holds the top spot as the most widely used and regrettably secure password. Its numerical sequence provides complexity, thus making it a favorite target for cybercriminals.
123456789
Following closely behind is a variation called “123456789.” Although it may seem like an improvement due to the digits its fundamental lack of complexity remains unchanged. Consequently, users remain vulnerable to hacking attempts.
12345
Securing its place as the worst password is “12345” due to its consecutive numerical order. This guessable choice poses a risk to personal and sensitive information.
qwerty
Inspired by the layout of keys, on a keyboard “qwerty” ranks fourth among passwords. Unfortunately, this password offers a defense against cyber threats because of its straightforward and easily decipherable nature.
password
It’s quite ironic that the “password” itself ranks fifth in the list. Choosing such an option is, like a dream come true for hackers as it reveals a flaw, in our pursuit of online security.
12345678
Trying to add complexity by extending the sequence, “12345678” fails to offer protection. Users who rely on patterns are basically leaving the door open for potential breaches.
111111
For those seeking simplicity, “111111” might seem like an effortless option. However, this repetitive choice offers little defense against brute-force attacks, leaving users exposed to unauthorized access.
123123
A variation on the theme of sequential numbers, “123123” fails to provide the necessary complexity to thwart cyber threats effectively. Choosing such passwords leaves users susceptible to unauthorized access and potential data breaches.
1234567890
Expanding on the numerical sequence, “1234567890” does little to enhance security. Its predictable pattern renders it an easily exploitable choice, putting user accounts and sensitive information at risk.
1234567
Rounding out the list is “1234567,” another variant of the common numerical sequence. While users may think they are introducing complexity, the reality is that such patterns remain highly vulnerable to hacking attempts.
What are some of the worst passwords to use?
Many worst passwords are predictable, easy to guess, or readily available in dictionaries. Here are some common offenders:
Simple sequences: 123456, password, qwerty, abc123, etc.
Personal information: Birthdays, anniversaries, pet names, easily guessable details.
Keyboard patterns: Asdfgh, zxcvbnm, rows of consecutive letters.
Variations of common words: P@ssw0rd, 1234567890, p4ssw0rd (leetspeak).
Dictionary words: Any word found in a dictionary, regardless of language.
Why are these passwords so bad?
These passwords are easy for hackers to crack using brute-force attacks or rainbow tables (pre-computed lists of hashed passwords).
