Don't use admin': UK's top 20 most-used passwords revealed as scams soar

"Even in the face of repeated warnings to protect online accounts, a new study reveals that admin is the most commonly used password in the UK. The second most popular, 123456, is also unlikely to keep hackers at bay. The annual review of the top 200 most common passwords by the tech company NordPass makes depressing reading for security experts, the police and anti-fraud bodies."

"Although cybersecurity experts keep repeating that simple passwords are extremely easy to guess, these warnings are going unheeded. In the UK, words, number combinations, and common keyboard patterns dominate the top 20. Different variations of the word password take up as many as five of these spots, with simple numeric combinations, including 12345678 and then 123456789 using another five. So far, so easy to hack. Use a password management tool to help with more complicated secure passwords."

"Around the world, 123456 emerges as the most popular. Despite all efforts in cybersecurity education and digital awareness over the years, data reveals only minor improvements in password hygiene, says Karolis Arbaciauskas of NordPass, a password manager that aims to keep details secure. About 80% of data breaches are caused by compromised, weak, and reused passwords, and criminals will intensify their attacks as much as they can until they reach an obstacle they can't overcome."

Admin is the most commonly used password in the UK, followed by 123456, making accounts easy targets for hackers. Variations of 'password' occupy five places in the top 20, and simple numeric sequences such as 12345678 and 123456789 occupy another five positions. Common keyboard patterns and predictable number combinations dominate weak password lists. Australians, Americans and Germans also commonly use 'admin', while 123456 ranks highest globally. About 80% of data breaches stem from compromised, weak, or reused passwords. Criminals exploit these habits with dictionary and automated attacks. Use of password managers and stronger, unique passwords is advised.

Read at www.theguardian.com