Hackers Delight: Poor Password Security

Millions of people are using easy-to-guess passwords on sensitive accounts, suggests a study. The analysis by the UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) found 123456 was the most widely-used password on breached accounts.

The study helped to uncover the gaps in cyber-knowledge that could leave people in danger of being exploited. The NCSC said people should string three random but memorable words together to use as a strong password.

Sensitive Data
For its first cyber-survey, the NCSC analysed public databases of breached accounts to see which words, phrases and strings people used. 

Top of the list was 123456, appearing in more than 23 million passwords. The second-most popular string, 123456789, was not much harder to crack, while others in the top five included "qwerty", "password" and 1111111. The most common name to be used in passwords was Ashley, followed by Michael, Daniel, Jessica and Charlie.

When it comes to Premier League football teams in guessable passwords, Liverpool are champions and Chelsea are second. Blink-182 topped the charts of music acts. People who use well-known words or names for a password put themselves people at risk of being hacked, said Dr Ian Levy, technical director of the NCSC.

"Nobody should protect sensitive data with something that can be guessed, like their first name, local football team or favourite band," he said.

Hard to Guess
The NCSC study also quizzed people about their security habits and fears. It found that 42% expected to lose money to online fraud and only 15% said they felt confident that they knew enough to protect themselves online.

It found that fewer than half of those questioned used a separate, hard-to-guess password for their main email account.
Security expert Troy Hunt, who maintains a database of hacked account data, said picking a good password was the "single biggest control" people had over their online security.

"We typically haven't done a very good job of that either as individuals or as the organisations asking us to register with them," he said.

Letting people know which passwords were widely used should drive users to make better choices, he said. The survey was published ahead of the NCSC's Cyber UK conference that will be held in Glasgow from 24-25 April. 

BBC:

You Might Also Read: 

Identity Management Fundamentals:

 

 

« FBI Believes Russia Hacked Florida Elections
A Cyber Attack On Japan Could Bring The USA To War »

Infosecurity Europe
CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

Authentic8

Authentic8

Authentic8 transforms how organizations secure and control the use of the web with Silo, its patented cloud browser.

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO Technology

XYPRO is the market leader in HPE Non-Stop Security, Risk Management and Compliance.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

Research Institute in Trustworthy Industrial Control Systems (RITICS)

Research Institute in Trustworthy Industrial Control Systems (RITICS)

RITICS is one of three Research Institutes formed as part of the UK National Cyber Security Strategy.

Guardsquare

Guardsquare

GuardSquare is the global reference in mobile application protection. We develop premium software for the protection of mobile applications against reverse engineering and hacking.

National Cyber Summit (NCS)

National Cyber Summit (NCS)

The National Cyber Summit is the preeminent event for cyber training, education and workforce development aimed at protecting our nation's infrastructure from the ever-evolving cyber threat.

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Directory of Cyber Security Suppliers

Our Supplier Directory lists 7,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

Infosec Global

Infosec Global

Infosec Global provides technology innovation, thought leadership and expertise in cryptographic life-cycle management.

Fasken

Fasken

Fasken is one of the largest business law firms in Canada and a recognized leader in privacy and cybersecurity law.

SilverSky

SilverSky

SilverSky offers a comprehensive suite of products and services that deliver unprecedented simplicity and expertise for compliance and cybersecurity programs.

IT Acceleration

IT Acceleration

IT Acceleration is a full-service IT management and support, IT compliance and Digital Forensics company.

East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre (EMCRC)

East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre (EMCRC)

The East Midlands Cyber Resilience Centre is set up to support and help protect businesses across the region against cyber crime.

Airiam

Airiam

Airiam provides cybersecurity, managed IT, consulting, incident response, and digital transformation services so you can focus on what matters most.

Eventus Security

Eventus Security

Eventus, are a team of highly skilled professionals who are committed to deliver excellence in next generation cyber security services and customized solutions for your enterprise.

CyberMaxx

CyberMaxx

At CyberMaxx, our approach to cybersecurity provides end-to-end coverage for our customers – we use offense to fuel defense.

Robust Intelligence

Robust Intelligence

Robust Intelligence enables enterprises to secure their AI transformation with an automated solution to protect against security and safety threats.

M6iT Consulting

M6iT Consulting

M6iT Consulting is an industry-leading solution partner managing the IT requirements for a full range of companies.

Netia

Netia

Netia is a Polish telecommunications company providing a range of business services including network solutions, communications, data centre and cloud, and cybersecurity.

CYNC Secure

CYNC Secure

CYNC boosts cybersecurity remediation by consolidating fragmented data and optimizing operational processes.