Is Your Password "123456"? The Most Dangerous Passwords of 2024 You Shouldn’t Use

Every year, a grim truth emerges about our digital habits: we're hopelessly predictable. Despite endless warnings, elaborate phishing scandals, and the rise of hacking-for-hire, millions of us cling to passwords that could be cracked faster than you can say "data breach."

The latest report from NordPass, a leading password management platform, shows we've learned shockingly little. The most popular password of 2024? Once again, it's "123456," used over three million times worldwide and crackable in less than a second. Yes, you read that right—less than a second.

If that doesn't send shivers down your spine, the rest of the top offenders might. Spoiler: they're just as lazy, unimaginative, and dangerous to use. Let's break it down—and more importantly, fix it.

Top 10 Worst Passwords of 2024

NordPass analyzed a 2.5-terabyte database, including passwords leaked through data breaches and malware. The findings are a cybersecurity nightmare. Here are the top 10 most common passwords globally, each crackable in under one second:
- 123456 – Used by over 3 million people (and none of them safely).
- 123456789 – Because adding three more numbers makes all the difference (it doesn't).
- 12345678 – Creative? No. Secure? Definitely not.
- password – A classic that refuses to die.
- qwerty123 – Still predictable, even with numbers tacked on.
- qwerty1 – See above.
- 111111 – As secure as leaving your front door wide open.
- 12345 – It's not even the full sequence, for crying out loud.
- secret – Spoiler: it's not a secret.
- 123123 – A thrilling departure from "123456," but just as useless.
And these are just the global highlights. In the U.S., we add gems like "password1," "abc123," and "welcome" to the mix. Spoiler alert: hackers love us for it.

Why Do We Keep Using These Passwords?

- Convenience: Easy-to-remember passwords save us from resetting our accounts for the 17th time this month.
- Underestimation of Risk: Many assume, "Why would anyone bother hacking me?" Until they do.
- Overconfidence: Tacking "123" onto "qwerty" feels like Fort Knox-level security when it's anything but.

If you thought this problem was confined to personal accounts, think again. NordPass's analysis of corporate passwords reveals that employees are just as careless:
password
123456
qwerty123
welcome
Even "aaron431"—believed to be a default password in certain software systems—has somehow made it into corporate usage. Yikes.

What You Should Be Doing Instead

Let's stop being predictable. Here's how to create passwords that won't make hackers throw a party:
- Go Long: Aim for at least 20 characters. Yes, 20.
- Mix It Up: Combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Forget actual words.
- Avoid Personal Info: No birthdays, pet names, or favorite sports teams. Sorry, "PatriotsFan23" won't cut it.
- Use Passkeys: Skip passwords altogether with biometric authentication (fingerprint scans or face recognition).

Feeling overwhelmed? That's where password managers come in. Platforms like NordPass can:
- Generate strong, random passwords for every account.
- Store them securely so you only need to remember one master password.
- Auto-fill your credentials for effortless login.
And for those who dread subscription services, consider this: one data breach can cost you far more than a password manager ever will.

As we dive deeper into an increasingly digital world, our passwords need to evolve with us. Your Netflix account password might seem trivial, but it's often the gateway to more sensitive information.

So, let's stop treating passwords like afterthoughts. Instead, embrace strong passwords, password managers, and passkeys. Because in 2024, "123456" isn't just outdated—it's an open invitation to hackers.
And let's face it: you're better than that.