These days, protecting your online accounts is more important than ever. But many people still use passwords that are way too easy to guess—like something out of a bad movie plot. An experienced hacker can crack your password faster than you can say "cybersecurity." Scary, right?
To stay safe, avoid these passwords at all costs. Hackers can guess them in under five seconds!
123456
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This is the gold standard for bad passwords. It has topped the most-hacked lists for years because it’s the first thing hackers try. Why? Because it’s mindlessly simple. Password-cracking programs will run through sequences like this in milliseconds.
password
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
It doesn’t get lazier than this. You’d be surprised how many people still think “password” is a decent choice. Cybercriminals know better. This has been exposed in countless data breaches, and hackers don’t even need fancy software to crack it.
123456789
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Adding a few extra numbers doesn’t make it safer. In fact, it follows the same predictable pattern that automated hacking tools breeze through in no time. Even amateur hackers target it immediately, often as their second or third attempt.
12345
Credit: iStockphoto
Short passwords are even worse. Anything under six characters is practically useless in today’s digital landscape. Hackers can cycle through every possible five-digit combination in under a second. Fun fact: some ATMs in the ’90s had five-digit PINs, and “12345” was the most commonly used one. No wonder banks changed that.
12345678
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If "123456" is bad, slapping two more digits on the end isn’t going to fool anyone. This one shows up in every major database of exposed passwords, which means it’s already compromised. Just assume someone out there already has it.
qwerty
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It might feel clever to use a keyboard pattern– the first six keys on your keyboard–but hackers are way ahead of you. They know people take the path of least resistance, so they check these layouts first, and that’s exactly why "Qwerty" has been a top weak password for decades.
abc123
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A mix of letters and numbers sounds like a good idea—until you realize how many people use the same ones. This password has been leaked so many times that it’s practically worthless. It’s also a go-to choice for bot-generated fake accounts.
111111
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Repetitive numbers are a disaster for security. If a password is easy for you to remember, it’s even easier for a hacker to guess. This one is at the top of every password-cracking program’s list, meaning it offers zero protection.
123123
Credit: flickr
It might look like a pattern that’s hard to guess, but hackers target repeating sequences right away. In fact, in large-scale credential-stuffing attacks, this is one of the first passwords they test—and it almost always works.
admin
Credit: flickr
Believe it or not, “admin” is still a common password—especially on routers, business accounts, and work logins. The problem is that it’s often a default setting, which means hackers don’t even have to guess.
football
Credit: iStockphoto
Sports-related passwords are easy to guess because fans tend to use their favorite teams or sports. During football season, security reports show an increase in passwords like “superbowl,” “cowboys,” and “gochiefs.” Hackers keep track of trends, too.
iloveyou
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It might be a sweet sentiment, but it’s terrible for security. Hackers know people use emotional words and phrases, so they check them first. If you want to keep your accounts safe, save the love for text messages—not passwords.
654321
Credit: iStockphoto
If “123456” is bad, flipping it around doesn’t make it any better. Hackers expect people to try simple variations, and if they attempt other passwords, they will likely attempt this one, too. It is just as weak as the original.
guest
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
This is another default password that people often forget to change. It’s commonly found in workplace accounts, public Wi-Fi setups, and old email accounts. Hackers love it because it usually means no extra security steps were taken.
letmein
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If your password is basically begging for access, it’s a bad sign. “letmein” has been a weak password choice for over a decade and remains one of the most breached. Ironically, it’s so common that hackers can easily keep you locked out.
