# The Most Common Passwords of 2024: A Cybersecurity Alert
In a time when cybersecurity dangers are increasingly widespread, one could expect that online users have grown more cautious about safeguarding their digital accounts. Nevertheless, the most recent study from NordPass, in partnership with NordStellar, uncovers a discouraging truth: countless individuals persist in utilizing weak, easily guessable passwords. For the sixth year in a row, NordPass has unveiled its list of the **200 most prevalent passwords** internationally, and the findings are as troubling as they are recognizable.
## The Usual Offenders: Weak Passwords Continue
Leading the pack yet again in 2024 is the notorious “123456,” a password that has consistently occupied the top position for five of the last six years. This password, alongside others such as “password,” “qwerty123,” and “111111,” can be broken in under a second, even by the most basic hacking software. In spite of numerous alerts from cybersecurity professionals, these straightforward combinations remain the favored selections for millions of users.
### Top 25 Most Common Passwords of 2024:
1. 123456
2. 123456789
3. 12345678
4. password
5. qwerty123
6. qwerty1
7. 111111
8. 12345
9. secret
10. 123123
11. 1234567890
12. 1234567
13. 000000
14. qwerty
15. abc123
16. password1
17. iloveyou
18. 11111111
19. dragon
20. monkey
21. 123123123
22. 123321
23. qwertyuiop
24. 00000000
25. Password
These passwords are not just simple to guess but also exceedingly susceptible to brute-force assaults, where cybercriminals employ automated tools to test every conceivable combination until they discover the right one. The simplicity of these passwords makes them ideal targets for hackers, jeopardizing both personal and corporate data.
## Business Passwords: No Better Than Personal Choices
For the first time, NordPass has also examined the most frequent passwords utilized in business settings. Regrettably, the insights demonstrate that employees show no greater caution with their work accounts than they do with personal ones. The top 25 corporate passwords are almost indistinguishable from the personal list, with “123456” again taking the lead.
This is a concerning finding, as corporate accounts frequently contain sensitive information, including financial data, intellectual property, and customer information. A weak password in a business context can result in catastrophic data breaches, costing enterprises millions and harming their reputations.
## Why Do Individuals Continue to Use Weak Passwords?
In spite of the increasing understanding of cybersecurity hazards, numerous individuals stick with weak passwords for various reasons:
1. **Convenience**: Simple passwords are easy to recall, and many users favor convenience over security. They often recycle the same password across multiple accounts, amplifying the risk of a widespread breach if one account is compromised.
2. **Lack of Knowledge**: Some users might not completely grasp the dangers linked with weak passwords or may not realize how easily these passwords can be cracked.
3. **Overconfidence**: Many people assume they are not targets for cyberattacks, believing hackers focus only on high-profile figures or large enterprises. In truth, anyone can be targeted, and hackers frequently use automated tools to assault thousands of accounts simultaneously.
4. **Password Fatigue**: With the growing number of online accounts, users often suffer from “password fatigue,” prompting them to reuse passwords or opt for simple ones to sidestep the hassle of remembering complex combinations.
## The Significance of Strong Passwords
A strong password is one of the easiest yet most efficient methods to secure your online accounts. Here are several tips for crafting secure passwords:
1. **Utilize a variety of characters**: A strong password should consist of a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols (e.g., !, @, #, $).
2. **Steer clear of common words and phrases**: Avoid using easily guessable terms like “password,” “123456,” or your name. Hackers frequently rely on dictionaries of common passwords to breach accounts.
3. **Lengthy is better**: The longer the password, the tougher it is to break. Aim for at least 12 characters.
4. **Employ a password manager**: Tools like NordPass can create and store complex passwords for you, removing the need to memorize them. This allows you to maintain unique, strong passwords for each of your accounts.
5. **Activate two-factor authentication (2FA)**: Whenever possible, activate 2FA on your accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by necessitating a second form of verification (such as
