Top 10 most common passwords
Whether we’re lazy, stupid or too trusting (or a bit of all three), many computer users tend to use the same passwords for logging onto their PC, email, banking sites and social networking accounts.
Whether we’re lazy, stupid or too trusting (or a bit of all three), many computer users tend to use the same passwords for logging onto their PC, email, banking sites and social networking accounts.
PC Magazine has compiled a list of the 10 most commonly used passwords by computer users today. Some are understandable – like numbers 1, 2 and 3 (see below) – while others (such as 6 and 9) are just plain odd.
Here’s the Top 10 list of most commonly used computer passwords:
1. password
2. 123456
3. qwerty
4. abc123
5. letmein
6. monkey
7. myspace 1
8. password 1
9. blink182
10. (your first name)
If you have any of these, change them immediately.
Computer experts say you shouldn’t use the same password for everything because if a malicious type figures it out, they can do some serious damage, especially when it comes to online banking (uploading a picture of a pig wearing a fedora as your Facebook profile, however, is relatively harmless).
It’s also recommended to use a combination of letters and numbers that would be virtually impossible to guess, such as "w8llpap6r" and refrain from writing these down on pieces of paper or in a document on your PC (e.g. mypasswords.doc).
So, which are your favourite passwords to use? Just kidding, we don’t want to know them!
Filed Under: Computers & Software
Like the media who eagerly shared how to make the bomb used in the Oklahoma City bombing years ago, I find that your whole article is really an effort in stupidity itself.
WHY would you be so eager to tell people this information? No real good can come of this info when presented to the public. You only make it that much easier for those who want to make trouble to do so.
Are you willing to accept responsibility for this foolishness? Or do you even care? Shame on you!!!
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I want to crack your head like an egg and beat it, beat it, beat it, beat it, like an egg and beat it, beat it.
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Daryl, don't be so simple minded… you think this article now opened up the minds of hackers? This is not new and those that try and want to steal your info already know all this and 10 times more.
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"Stupid is… stupid does."
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Steve, you are the one who is being simple-minded.
You are exactly the kind of person who refuses to see the bigger picture.
This kind of information may or may not already be in the hands of malicious pigs who feel they have a right to inflict their self-entitlement and misguided egos on others.
But there are scores of would-be hackers, up and coming newbies, and any number of people to whom this information is new, and this kind of irresponsible 'journalism' only encourages them.
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By the way, props to Daryl for his insight, and for taking the time to post his disgust. I support him completely.
(And for the inevitable cynics and scoffers out there…NO, I am not Daryl.)
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Daryl, the intent of me publishing this list is so that you DON'T use these passwords because they are the most common, and thus putting yourself more at risk. I even gave tips on how to best choose a secure password. How can you perceive this as encouraging malicious behaviour?!
Marc
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Daryl, I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with what you are saying because I think it is totally ludicrous. First, comparing this to how to make a bomb is just absurd, and wicked offensive to Marc and anyone that he is altering with this list. Second, if your password to your online bank is something like password 1, then I'm sorry, it's like leaving your car unlocked with the keys in it, you’re making yourself an easy target. To me it sounds like you have some stupid passwords that you should change, and I think Marc was doing you a favor by en lighting you and anyone else out there for that matter. Grow up and realize that he's doing us all a favor, and stop drawing stupid conclusions.
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Daryl, I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with what you are saying because I think it is totally ludicrous. First, comparing this to how to make a bomb is just absurd, and wicked offensive to Marc and anyone that he is altering with this list. Second, if your password to your online bank is something like password 1, then I'm sorry, it's like leaving your car unlocked with the keys in it, you’re making yourself an easy target. To me it sounds like you have some stupid passwords that you should change, and I think Marc was doing you a favor by en lighting you and anyone else out there for that matter. Grow up and realize that he's doing us all a favor, and stop drawing stupid conclusions.
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Daryl: Grab a teddy bear and have a good cry on another forum. Marc hit the nail right on the head with this article. I'd add dumb passwords a few a Network Specialist told me: using your birthday, and using your user ID & password as the same.
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Look folks, this list is not the first I have seen and similar lists have been used in popular media such as the movie Hackers.
This list changes with the times and is influenced by current events and prevalent social attitudes.
What really has me concerned as a computer professional is how was this list generated.
Passwords are supposed to be discreet. Does this mean that MSN, hotmail, and others are looking at my passwords?
If so, then there really is not security any way.
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I've used 6 of those passwords at some point in my life
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This information is listed on-line in a multitude of places. young and coming hackers have access to this and more from their peers. It's naive to think that the media is informing the criminal element. Sadly the information about this is ancient news.
Oh and loki, where do you think your password is stored when you sign on to a network? It is stored on the server and not your computer. A Network admin has access to anything on that network, which is why you should have a different password for each account you make and why you should change your password on a regular basis. (even network admins transfer jobs) For those who have trouble remembering passwords there are handheld personal password managers (one called the mandylion) out there that store that info for you.
It's your info keep it secure.
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Glad Methuselah pointed out that your network administrator has the keys to your accounts. People who use "confidential" work e-mail ought to be aware of this. My e-mail at work is first read by the business manager, who then forwards it to the boss. All those comments you make about said boss, or how pissed up you got over the weekend, or what a crush you have on the guy in the next cube, somebody may be reading all this, getting a good laugh at your expense, and then busting you out when the time seems right.
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I'm sorry, Blink182 ??
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You've got to be kidding me Daryl! The only ones who should be accepting responsibilty for foolishness are the people who think they know it all, and don't want to accept it when someone experienced in that field attempts to relay some helpful information! Are you that fool who uses "password", or "qwerty" and are just angry because you are that out of the loop and don't want to accept it?
There are alot of poeple out there who really have no computer or technological knowledge and who would benefit from this article if they happen to stumble across it. As for hackers, I highly doubt that they gained any new knowledge from this article…. give your head a shake!
And comparing passwords to bombs??? WOW!
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If someone were to put their personal information on facebook, or something similar, then put "123456" as their password… well, screw them. They deserve it.
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wow … i havent read any of those comments except the first two…
but lets get serious .. anybyd with HALF of a brain .. and in most cases hackers or even newbie hackers are extremly smart … those top 10 arent even close to what should have been put up .. i guess everybody forgets how many DUMB ppl are in this world .. and how many people lack common sense… but i do agree .. this does help newbie hackers..well ..it helps the retarded ones who dont have common sense.. so regardless .. this article was helpful .. so stop getting your pantys in a bunch relax .. the article was written with good intentions .. so stfu and get a life..
-johnny
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FYI, blink182 is the name of a band.
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when will the top 10 best password list be posted? you can count me the heck in on that !
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Oh my gosh. please stop aurguing and tell us your insights!
i dont think hackers are going to flip out (ina good way) over this. they probably already know this. Also, its helping us because now we know these passwords are taboo.
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