A Primer on Password Security

As the number of sites and devices you access multiplies, so do the number of passwords you have to manage over time.  One thing is for sure, we probably don't spend enough time making sure our passwords are safe once we establish a new account,login to a new website, or set up a device to connect to the Internet.

Easiest to Guess and Steal 

If "password" is your online password, you're in good company, and that's bad.  As the single most popular log-in used to access online accounts, it's also the most easily hacked by cybercriminals. Changing the "o" to a zero - "passw0rd" is not much better.  It ranks as the 18th most common, according to SplashData, a company that produces SplashID, a secure password management software.  And with more websites now requiring passwords to include both letters and numbers, you may think you're safe with "abc12."  Think again.  That password ranked fifth.

Top 25 Most Common Passwords

#1. password
#2. 123456
#3. 12345678
#4. qwerty
#5. abc123
#6. monkey
#7. 1234567
#8. lemein
#9. trustno1
#10. dragon
#11. baseball
#12. 111111
#13. iloveyou
#14. master
#15. sunshine
#16. ashley
#17. bailey
#18. passw0rd
#19. shadow
#20. 123123
#21. 654321
#22. superman
#23. qazwsx
#24. michael
#25. football

Some interesting trends have popped up with SplashData's analysis of millions of passwords. Joining the longtime "don"use" password, "qwerty" the top to bottom sequence on a keyboard is "qazwsx."

There's also an increased use of common names.  Officials, however, are baffled by the popularity of "monkey" and "shadow."  But what's clear is that using any of these passwords significantly increases your risk of identity theft. Although cyberthieves sometimes apply sophisticated hacking software, they're more likely to depend on repeatedly trying common passwords to log into your account.

Create Strong Passwords

There are lots of resources on the Internet about how to choose a strong password. For example,  Microsoft's Safety & Security Center shows you how to create strong passwords. In brief, here's a few tips:

• Go long.  Use at least 12 keystrokes. One study shows that a good 12-character password would take hackers more than 17,000 years to crack.
• Mix it up.  Use upper- and  lowercase letters, punctuation, symbols, and numbers.
• Finesse your favorites. For easier recall, base your passwords on foods you like, TV shows, or first letters of a song, but with tweaks, symbols, and conscious misspellings.
• Think different. Don't use the same password for everything, particularly on your secure sites, such as banks and shopping sites

Security threats are a growing issue for businesses of all sizes. There’s a lot at stake—your computers and network systems, your information and your customers’ data. We stay on top of the latest security hazards and employ a variety of technologies to keep all systems and data safe. At TeamLogic IT our security services ensure your business is always protected. We help by selecting, implementing, and managing IT security services for you.