Cybersecurity Threat: The Worst Passwords Used in 2023

At Focus21, we firmly believe that neglecting cybersecurity during the digital transformation of any business, irrespective of the industry, is a grave error. This is of paramount importance, as a single unforeseen incident can tarnish the company's reputation and alienate customers.

Cybersecurity should never be relegated to the back burner or postponed. We prioritize it from the very onset of our collaboration with clients. Otherwise, vulnerabilities might persist in the software developed for the company, which malicious actors can exploit.

One straightforward way to elevate a company's cybersecurity standards during digital transformation is to implement a robust system that evaluates the complexity of passwords used by employees. Such a system should prohibit simplistic variations that can easily be cracked through brute force.

An effective password should incorporate uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Furthermore, for enhanced account security, avoid using passwords from publicly accessible lists of popular choices. Firms specializing in cybersecurity routinely release lists of the most vulnerable passwords.

The worst passwords of 2023 according to Security:

• Running numbers: “123456”, “123456789”, “111111”
• Clustered keys: “qwerty”, “asdfgh”, “1q2w3e”
• Common phrases: “iloveyou”, “letmein”, “trustno1”
• “Password” and its variations: “password”, “strongpassword”, “password1”, “incorrect”
• Frequent names: “Princess”, “Hannah”, “Bob”
• Curse words

Additionally, two-factor authentication can also be employed. With this feature, the system mandates an extra layer of user verification, either through SMS, a phone call, or a third-party application. This added security is particularly crucial for accounts with administrative privileges.

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