Overview
- Security warnings tied to World Password Day say weak, reused passwords still expose accounts to quick break-ins.
- Research cited in the reports finds one in eight people use a single password for every account, 36% use just one to three, and only 19% use a unique one each time.
- Frequently used weak choices include admin, 123456, password, qwerty123, and abc123, which common cracking tools can guess in seconds.
- Experts urge turning on multi-factor authentication, which asks for a second code or device after the password to stop stolen logins from working.
- They also recommend long passphrases, a password manager to keep unique logins, and regular updates, with one expert advising twice a year for personal accounts.