In today’s digital world, passwords are still the keys to your online life, whether that’s your email, bank account, social media, or the systems you use to run a business. But far too many people are still relying on weak, predictable passwords that hackers can guess in seconds.
A newly released study has revealed the 200 most commonly used and most dangerous passwords. If you’re using any of them, you are putting your accounts and data at serious risk.
Cybercriminals have access to enormous collections of stolen passwords, often obtained through data breaches, malware infections, or insecure websites. A recent analysis of 2.5 terabytes of leaked login data, covering users in 44 countries, highlights just how widespread and serious this issue is.
These weak passwords are easily found on dark web forums and marketplaces or sold cheaply to hackers. Once in hand, attackers can run automated tools that try your email and passwords across thousands of websites in seconds.
Top 10 Most Common Passwords in the U.S.
- secret
- 123456
- password
- qwerty123
- qwerty1
- 123456789
- password1
- 12345678
- 12345
- abc123
Globally, the problem is just as bad. Other common entries include iloveyou, dragon, football, 111111, monkey, and similar patterns. Simple number sequences, everyday words, or anything that seems “easy to remember” is typically also easy for a hacker to guess.
If any of your current passwords are on this list, you should change them immediately. Waiting only increases the chance that your information will be compromised.
How to Protect Yourself
When you do update your passwords, follow these best practices:
- Use a password manager: These tools generate and store long, complex passwords for every account, so you don’t have to remember them all. You only need to remember one strong master password.
- Make each password long and unique: Avoid reusing passwords across different accounts. If one gets exposed, all connected accounts become vulnerable.
- Use passphrases when possible: Something like “YellowDuckBounces4Times” is easier to remember but still very difficult for a hacker to crack.
- Use passkeys if supported: Passkeys are a modern, secure alternative to passwords and are supported by major platforms like Google and Apple.
- Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): MFA adds another layer of protection. Even if someone manages to steal your password, they still need an extra code or method to get into your account.
Important Note for Small Business Owners
For small business owners, the risk is even higher. If your employees use weak passwords, your entire company network could be compromised. Enforce secure password policies, require MFA, and roll out a password manager across the organization. A small step today could prevent a serious security incident tomorrow.
Remember, strong passwords are not about convenience. They are about keeping your personal, financial, and business information safe. Taking the time to update your credentials now is far easier than dealing with the aftermath of a security breach.
Check the Full List
If you’d like to check whether your password appears on the list of the top 200 most dangerous passwords, you can visit the full database provided by NordPass here: https://nordpass.com/most-common-passwords-list
Stay safe and stay smart online. Your future self will thank you!
