National Change Your Password Day: February 1st Reminds Us to Stay Secure Online
Change Your Password Day was first introduced on February 1, 2012, by the U.S. website GIZMODO. The goal of this awareness day is to highlight the importance of strong passwords and encourage users to update them regularly. Given the rising number of cybercrimes and the associated risks to personal data, this initiative is more relevant than ever. The German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) also recommends changing your password if you suspect that your account has been compromised.
Change Your Password Day: Common Weak Passwords You Should Replace Immediately
Cyber threats are increasing rapidly. According to a study by Cybersecurity Ventures, a cyberattack occurred every 39 seconds in 2023, totaling over 2,200 attacks per day.
Cybercriminals use various techniques to crack passwords and gain access to sensitive digital information. The most common attack methods include:
- Brute-Force Attacks
Brute-force attacks use automated programs to try all possible character combinations. Weak passwords like “123456” can be cracked in seconds. The shorter and simpler the password, the faster it can be broken. - Dictionary Attacks
Hackers use precompiled lists of commonly used passwords. These dictionary attacks systematically test whether passwords like “password” or “qwerty” are in use. - Phishing
Cybercriminals trick users into entering their passwords via fake emails or websites. This method exploits trust, such as a fake email from “Support” requesting your password to resolve a supposed email issue. - Keyloggers
Keylogger programs run in the background, recording every keystroke. This allows cybercriminals to steal passwords directly. Keyloggers are often installed via malware. - Sniffing
Hackers intercept unencrypted passwords transmitted over networks. This technique is especially common in unsecured Wi-Fi environments. Always ensure you are using an encrypted connection (e.g., HTTPS). - Credential Stuffing
Attackers use stolen login credentials from data breaches (such as email addresses and passwords) to attempt access to other accounts. If you reuse the same password for multiple accounts, hackers can easily gain entry.
Most Common Weak Passwords
Here are 50 commonly used, easily hackable passwords:
Rank | Password |
1 | 123456 |
2 | 123456789 |
3 | password |
4 | qwerty |
5 | 12345 |
6 | 12345678 |
7 | 111111 |
8 | 123123 |
9 | abc123 |
10 | 000000 |
11 | 1234 |
12 | sunshine |
13 | iloveyou |
14 | admin |
15 | welcome |
16 | football |
17 | monkey |
18 | letmein |
19 | princess |
20 | dragon |
21 | 654321 |
22 | superman |
23 | qazwsx |
24 | 121212 |
25 | trustno1 |
26 | starwars |
27 | michael |
28 | jordan |
29 | hunter |
30 | baseball |
31 | 123qwe |
32 | 1q2w3e4r |
33 | charlie |
34 | aa123456 |
35 | password1 |
36 | 987654321 |
37 | 222222 |
38 | flower |
39 | shadow |
40 | master |
41 | ginger |
42 | 1212 |
43 | buster |
44 | soccer |
45 | harley |
46 | thomas |
47 | tigger |
48 | jennifer |
49 | cookie |
50 | mickey |
Why Are These Passwords Dangerous?
These passwords are highly vulnerable because they:
- Are short and easy to guess
- Lack a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters
- Frequently appear in password leaks, making them prime targets for hackers
Also, never use your username as your password—it may be easy to remember, but it is just as easy to hack.
What Should You Do?
Does your password appear on this list?
1. Use Change Your Password Day 2025 as an opportunity to replace weak passwords.
2. Use tools like 1Password to generate and store complex passwords.
3. Add an extra layer of security by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA).
What Makes a Strong Password?
To protect your accounts from cybercriminals, follow these guidelines when creating a new password:
Characteristics of a Strong Password:
1. Length and Complexity: A secure password should be at least 20 characters long. The longer it is, the harder it is to crack via brute-force attacks. Use a combination of:
- Uppercase and lowercase letters
- Numbers and special characters
- Random, unpredictable sequences unrelated to personal information
Example of a strong password: Gil3x4P@snw0RD2024b!
2. Unique for Each Platform: Never reuse passwords across multiple platforms. If hackers gain access to one account, they could potentially access others.
3. Unpredictability: Avoid logical patterns like “123456” or “password”.
4. Use a Password Manager: Tools like 1Password help store and generate long, complex passwords.
How to Remember Complex Passwords
The stronger your passwords, the better protected your accounts are. However, passwords like Gil3x4P@snw0RD2024b! meet security standards but can be difficult to remember.
Solution: Create a Passphrase Using a Mnemonic Sentence
A mnemonic sentence helps you recall even the most complex password.
Example:
The password Gil3x4P@snw0RD2024b! could be derived from:
“Giraffes run 3 x 4 penguins @ the lake while 0 seals build dams in 2024!”
How It Works:
1. Take the first letter of each word:
- “Giraffes run” → Gil
- “3 x 4” → 3×4
- “Penguins” → P
- “@ the lake” → @sn
- “while” → w
- “0 seals build” → 0RD
- “Dams 2024!” → 2024b!
2. Integrate numbers and symbols:
- “3 x 4” → 3×4
- “@” from “@ the lake” → @
- “0” from “0 seals” → 0
- “2024” from the sentence → 2024
- Using this method, you can create secure passwords that are easy to remember.
Additional Security Measure: Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Besides using a strong password, enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for extra protection. This adds a second verification step, such as:
1. One-time codes via app
Apps like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator generate temporary codes valid for a few seconds.
2. Push notifications
Services like Apple ID or Google send a push notification to your device for login approval.
3. Hardware tokens
Devices like YubiKey provide physical security keys that must be present to access your account.
4. Fingerprint or PIN authentication
On smartphones, biometric security (fingerprint scan or PIN) can act as a second layer of protection.
Manage Your Passwords with 1Password
A password manager like 1Password enhances security and helps keep track of your credentials.
Features of 1Password:
- Generate strong passwords with numbers, letters, and special characters
- Store and manage passwords securely across Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android
- Autofill login credentials to make signing in easier
- Enable 2FA authentication for additional security layers
- Securely share passwords with trusted individuals
Need Help Securing Your Data?
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