The last year has taught us lessons on digital security on multiple occasions. Be it the case of constant attacks by the Lizard Squad on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live or hackers leaking a comprehensive Snapchat database, the message has been loud and clear: nobody on the internet is ‘safe’. You would expect people to be extra cautious about their security as a result, right? SplashData has released its list of the most common passwords on the internet in 2014. Trust me, it tells a completely different tale; one that of carelessness and laziness.
Let’s amuse ourselves with the rather embarrassing list:
Believe it or not, the password, ‘password’ took first place in the list of most common passwords in 2013. It might be a minor consolation for some to see that people have resorted to typing numbers instead. Interestingly, eight of these passwords in the list are all integers and a few others that are alphanumerical passwords.
There is no denying that the password system requires an overhaul but its baffling to see people putting their security at risk like this. It makes one question how difficult and time-consuming is it exactly to come up with a more ‘complex’ password that doesn’t straight up spell ‘password’, ‘dragon’ or ‘monkey’.
For the love of all that’s holy, you could even pick these absurd passwords and twist them in a way they are not so obvious. For instance, those who are hell bent on using ‘monkey’ could perhaps spell it backwards and add random numbers. Something like this: ‘y0e9k8n7o6m’.
Moreover, those adamant on using numbers could add random alphabets in there to make it hard to hack. For instance: ‘u1h2g3k4l5’. Remember, this is the least you can do to save your identity from being compromised. If you are so frivolous about it all, you are simply inviting a hacker in your territory.