Dive Brief:
- Security application provider SplashData has released its annual list of the top 25 "Worst Passwords," compiled by searching for the most commonly used passwords from among the 2 million leaked on the Internet in 2015.
- “123456” and “password” are still the most commonly used -- a position they have held since the list was established in 2011.
- New to this year’s list are pop culture references to "Star Wars," with passwords like "princess," "solo" and "starwars."
Dive Insight:
The "Worst Passwords" list comes at a time when stories of cyber breaches and hacking dominate the news, from the OPM breach to the potential for blackouts from cyberattacks on the grid.
Social media over sharing is also exposing sensitive information, creating unnecessary security threats. One threat intelligence analyst found that workplace selfies shared online revealed corporate specifics related to supervisory control and data acquisition, according to a report from The Christian Science Monitor.
To try and protect personal information, SplashData recommends using at least 12 characters in a password and avoid reusing passwords across different websites. Companies should continue to mandate increased security measures and promote cyber hygiene to further protect corporate interests. This includes mandating regular password changes, with a mix of capitals, numbers and symbols to ensure their security.
