![]() ![]() Reuse of passwords across multiple sites: Reusing passwords for email, banking, and social media accounts can lead to identity theft. ![]() When 32 million passwords were exposed in a breach last year, almost 1% of victims were using “123456.” The next most popular password was “12345.” Other common choices are “111111,” “princess,” “qwerty,” and “abc123.” Simple passwords: Don’t use personal information such as your name, age, birth date, child’s name, pet’s name, or favorite color/song, etc. This is how Sarah Palin’s Yahoo account was hacked. The answers can often be found on your social media profile. When you click the “forgot password” link within a webmail service or other site, you’re asked to answer a question or series of questions. Password cracking becomes almost effortless with a tool like John the Ripper or similar programs.Ĭracking security questions: Many people use first names as passwords, usually the names of spouses, kids, other relatives, or pets, all of which can be deduced with a little research. These cracks rely on software that automatically plugs common words into password fields. Don’t use dictionary words, slang terms, common misspellings, or words spelled backward. Most people don’t realize there are a number of common techniques used to crack passwords and plenty more ways we make our accounts vulnerable due to simple and widely used passwords.ĭictionary attacks: Avoid consecutive keyboard combinations- such as qwerty or asdfg. Protect your information by creating a secure password that makes sense to you, but not to others.
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