Common Passwords Businesses Need to Know, and Avoid
2016 was the year of big data breaches. We saw the likes of Yahoo!, LinkedIn and Three Mobile all subject to hacks, compromising the information of millions of customers.
Despite the large number of high profile attacks, the number of people still using common passwords to secure their accounts remains high.
Recent data released by password manager Keeper, has revealed the world’s most common passwords, with the top 25 in the list used by over 50% of us. So… if your password is “123456”, “qwerty” or maybe even “password”, you might want to think about changing it now!
| 1 | 123456 |
| 2 | 123456789 |
| 3 | qwerty |
| 4 | 12345678 |
| 5 | 111111 |
| 6 | 1234567890 |
| 7 | 1234567 |
| 8 | password |
| 9 | 123123 |
| 10 | 987654321 |
| 11 | qwertyuiop |
| 12 | mynoob |
| 13 | 123321 |
| 14 | 666666 |
| 15 | 18atcskd2w |
| 16 | 7777777 |
| 17 | 1q2w3e4r |
| 18 | 654321 |
| 19 | 555555 |
| 20 | 3rjs1la7qe |
| 21 | |
| 22 | 1q2w3e4r5t |
| 23 | 123qwe |
| 24 | zxcvbnm |
| 25 | 1q2w3e |
If you’ve spotted your password on the list, then you definitely have a reason to be concerned but don’t panic. We’ve created a guide to help you come up with a strong password and keep your accounts secure. Read on for our top password do’s and don’ts…
Password Types to Avoid in Business
- Don’t reuse passwords – Make sure you use a different one for each account.
- Tell anyone your password – Or have anyone standing over you when you create it. Passwords are most secure when you keep them to yourself!
- Enter your password when using an unsecured Wi-Fi connection Hackers can intercept your data if you’re browsing on an unsecured connection such as in the airport or at a coffee shop.
- Write down passwords and store them near your computer.
Password Tips for Businesses
- Use a password manager
- Use a passphrase – Instead of just using a single word, think of a phrase or sentence you can code. For example “2B-or-Not_2b?”
- Update your password regularly – Once you create an account you should continue to change your password. If you can, try and avoid reusing the same password for at least a year.
- Use different character types – Use a combination of uppercase, lowercase, letters, numbers and symbols in your password.
- Log out if you’re using a public computer (e.g. at the airport or at the library) It only takes a second for someone to steal or change your password once you’ve left.
If you’re worried about any aspect of cyber security or just want some practical advice, San-iT are here to help.
To give yourself the best possible protection our systems will ensure you stay one step ahead of any potential hackers. Our service covers everything from anti-virus protection and firewalls right through to two-factor authentication to Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance so get in touch with the experts at San-iT today.
