Using the same password for everything? It’s time for change — and here’s some tips.
you and your data at risk.
A study by password manager NordPass found the average internet user has 70-80 passwords, which can prove challenging when trying to remember which password goes with which website.
Some users default to a key that is easy to remember, such as a pet’s name, street name or something that can be quickly and easily typed on a keyboard.
That also means these passwords can be quickly cracked.
Most common passwords being used
The chances of a hoodie-wearing-hacker furiously typing away in a dimly lit room in hopes of accessing your accounts are pretty low.
In reality it’s likely a bot running hundreds, if not thousands, of character combinations before eventually landing on the correct one.
NordPass released a list of the most popular passwords of 2021, most of which are estimated to take less than a second to crack.
The top five most common passwords in the United States are:
- 123456
- password
- 12345
- 123456789
- password1
Other popular passwords included first names, sports and “linkedin.”
How to create a strong password
Passwords don’t need to be an overcomplicated string of numbers, letters and symbols that are impossible to memorize.
When creating a strong password, think of a phrase or a string of words that will be easy to remember. For example: Flowersgrowoutside
Then, add in some numbers and special characters.
A password like Flow3rsgrow0uts!de% is trickier for a hacker, human or bot, to crack and gain access to your valuable information.
Password managers
The average internet user spends between 7-12 hours trying to remember their passwords every year, according to NordPass.
Instead of running the risk of locking yourself out, and possibly losing $220 million in Bitcoin, find a safe place to store your delicate details.
Never put important login details on a sticky note adhered to your computer or a fridge.
If you prefer digital storage, use a password manager. They are built-in on many smartphones and browsers or can be downloaded as a third party app.
They provide a safe place to store and access your passwords and can auto-fill your login details on different websites across different devices.
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