Similarly, if you have been using “123456” as your online password, you should probably reset as you’re a prime target for hackers.
Password management application provider SplashData released its annual list of worst internet passwords, ranked how common they are. The list was compiled based on millions of stolen passwords posted online by hackers.
Some of the easily-guessable passwords are obvious, including those that are simply a sequence of numbers such as “qwerty”.
Others such as “monkey” and “shadow”, however, are more unexpected as raise questions as to what is going on in the psyche of UK internet users.
The study is being used to highlight the importance of choosing an original password if you want to avoid having your account hacked into.
SplashData released tips on creating a secure password, advising people to vary the type of characters they use, choose passwords with eight characters or more and use different passwords for separate accounts.
Worst passwords of 2011
1. password
2. 123456
3.12345678
4. qwerty
5. abc123
6. monkey
7. 1234567
8. letmein
9. trustno1
10. dragon
11. baseball
12. 111111
13. iloveyou
14. master
15. sunshine
16. ashley
17. bailey
18. passw0rd
19. shadow
20. 123123
21. 654321
22. superman
23. qazwsx
24. michael
25. football
Own up – do you use one of 2011’s worst passwords?
