Say hello to the New Year – and goodbye to bad passwords! We’re diving into a lighthearted yet crucial look at the worst password choices from years past and offering pro tips to elevate your password security.

 

1. 123456: The infamous number sequence. No, writing it in reverse doesn’t make it better.

Pro Tip: Break the number pattern. Combine unexpected words and numbers, like 'Blue23Coffee89!'.
 

2. password: The most ironically insecure password.

Pro Tip: Flip the script. Use a random phrase with mixed characters, such as 'R@inWedd1ngD4y!’.
 

3. qwerty: Keyboard patterns are a no-go.

Pro Tip: Avoid keyboard walks. Try a memorable but complex phrase like 'Star3Fish@Moon'.
 

4. admin: Common among default settings, but extremely weak.

Pro Tip: Personalize it. Mix in hobbies or interests, e.g., 'FishingMom#2024!'.
 

5. Cursewordofchoice: Surprisingly common – and easily cracked.

Pro Tip: Channel your frustration creatively. Use a nonsensical but memorable phrase, like 'FudgeDrat!Shoot72'.

 

Other Way Too Common Passwords to Avoid:

• Please: Politeness won’t protect your accounts.
• ILoveYou: It turns out love doesn’t conquer it all.
• Welcome: Don’t welcome cybercriminals with open arms.
• Superman: Even superheroes need strong password protection.
• Monkey: Monkeys are playful, mischievous creatures, but they make for terrible password guardians.

 

Elevate Your Password Game:

Moving away from these and other predictable choices is key. Consider a password manager for generating and storing complex passwords. And remember, a strong password is like a good joke – the more unexpected, the better it is.