What’s the Password? Too Often, Answer Is Easy

Despite recommendations to use strong, unique passwords, people continue using weak codes

By By Dan Hounsell


Updating passwords to protect sensitive and valuable IT data shouldn’t be that hard. But it is, apparently. The issue is all the more urgent for healthcare facilities, where data breaches and attacks via email accounts are rising and show no signs of slowing down. 

One of the key elements of a strong password is its uniqueness, so CyberNews recently compiled information on the most commonly used passwords and phrases used in passwords by people around the world.

CyberNews collected data from publicly leaked data breaches, including the Breach Compilation, Collection #1-5, and other databases, then anonymized the data and detached the passwords to look at that data in isolation and find the most popular passwords.

Despite security experts recommending to use strong and unique passwords, along with two-factor authentication and password managers for more security, people continue using the weak codes. The top three most common passwords:
123456
123456789
qwerty



April 13, 2021


Topic Area: Information Technology


Recent Posts

Cyberattack Results in Patient Reroutes at Anne Arundel Medical Center

A recent cyberattack on Luminis Health Care led to care disruptions and treatment cancelations at Maryland hospital.


Tangram Furnishes Be Well OC Irvine Behavioral Health Campus

Case study: Through a public-private partnership, Be Well OC’s 22-acre Irvine campus expands Orange County’s continuum of behavioral healthcare.


Suntree Internal Medicine Reports Data Breach

Suntree Internal Medicine has no evidence of misuse, or attempted misuse, of any potentially affected information.


Why Healthcare Facilities Management Is Critical to Patient Safety 

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities rely on much more than doctors and nurses to keep patients safe.


Sanford Health and North Memorial Health Finalize Partnership

An integration process is underway to create a unified organization.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.