Millions using ‘123456’ as password: Study
Team Udayavani, Apr 21, 2019, 11:42 AM IST
London: Millions of people are still using easy-to-guess passwords like “123456” and “qwerty” on sensitive accounts, a study has found.
The analysis by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) uncovered the gaps in cyber-knowledge that may 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.
For its first cyber-survey, the NCSC analysed public databases of breached accounts to see which words, phrases and strings people used, the BBC reported.
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, the report found.
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 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.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
50-60% cancer cases detected in India annually are preventable, say oncologists
Doctors report treating ‘petticoat cancer’ in women who might have tied sarees tightly at waist
The Role of Screening and Early Detection in Liver Cancer
Need to recognise obesity as chronic disease: Experts
Study reveals how gut microbes work with body clock in managing stress
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
BCCI vs PCB spar on CT venue as Naqvi denies receiving any official note from Indian board
Use Carnatic music to promote Kannada language: Nirmala Sitharaman
Udupi: Car collides with bike; Rider injured
UP women’s body proposes men shouldn’t tailor women’s clothes or cut their hair
NSE, BSE to be closed on Nov 20 for Maharashtra assembly polls
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.