A recent study conducted by NordPass, a password management software company, identified “123456” as the most common password, used by approximately 4.5 million accounts. The study, carried out in collaboration with cybersecurity experts, highlighted alarming trends in password security. The second and third most popular passwords were “admin” and “12345678,” found in around 4 million and 1.37 million accounts, respectively.
In India, the study reported “123456” as the most common password in approximately 360,000 accounts, followed by “admin” in around 120,000 accounts. The research team analyzed passwords from a 6.6 Terabyte database, compiled from various malware attacks, providing insights into global password trends.
The study emphasized the need for robust password security, advising users to opt for complex passwords with a minimum length of 20 characters, incorporating a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. NordPass highlighted the persistent threat of malware attacks to account security and encouraged users to avoid password reuse across multiple platforms.
The company recommended regular assessments of passwords, urging users to adopt password managers for a safer online experience. The study’s findings underscore the importance of user awareness and proactive measures to enhance cybersecurity in an era of evolving technological threats.
