A recent study by the cybersecurity company Kaspersky has revealed alarming findings about the ease with which scammers can guess passwords. The study found that nearly 45% of passwords can be cracked in less than a minute. This means that almost half of the passwords people use can be quickly guessed by cybercriminals.
The researchers analyzed a massive database of 193 million English passwords. Out of these, they discovered that 87 million passwords could be broken very quickly. In contrast, only 23% of the passwords would take over a year to crack, indicating a higher level of security.
Kaspersky strongly recommends that people use unique passwords for each online service they use. This means not reusing the same password across different accounts.
They also advise against using easily guessable information such as birthdays, names, or common words. Instead, creating complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters can significantly improve security.
The study also highlighted the prevalence of password-stealing attempts, with Kaspersky detecting 32 million such attempts in 2023 alone. This high number underscores the importance of maintaining strong digital hygiene, which includes regularly updating passwords and being cautious about where and how they are used.
Another critical finding from the study is that 57% of passwords contain dictionary words. Using words that can be found in a dictionary makes passwords much easier to guess and therefore less secure. This practice significantly weakens the overall security of the passwords.
Kaspersky’s research sheds light on the urgent need for better password practices. With cyber threats continually evolving, it’s more important than ever for individuals to take proactive steps to protect their digital information. Simple measures, like creating strong, unique passwords and regularly changing them, can go a long way in safeguarding personal data from cybercriminals.
