Fraud Prevention Series: Your Password May Be One of the Weakest at Protecting Your Information
May 11, 2021
Every year fraudsters are successful in gaining access to consumers’ personal information, costing millions of dollars in losses. Unfortunately, many of these hacks are successful because of weak passwords.
Researchers at NordPass, a password manager and developer of the NordVPN app, have created a list of the top 100 weakest passwords in 2019 available in this NordPass report. Here are the top five:
1. 123456
2. 123456789
3. test1
4. password
5. 12345678
As this list indicates, the password 123456 or some combination of it is among the weakest and most used. If this is a password of yours, you need to change it immediately.
Another set of numbers you should never use as a password is your social security number. You may believe you’re the only person who knows it, but you’re not. A good rule of thumb to follow is not to use confidential information in your password.
Other information you should avoid using in a password include your kids’ names, birth dates, your current street name, and your pets’ names. This is data others can easily access.
How to create a secure password
When creating a password, think about this: if it’s easy for you to guess what it is, then it will be easy for a hacker to figure it out. Using tricks to create a stronger password will reduce your chances of being a victim.
One trick to use is a random secure password generator. Although these passwords are nonsensical, they can help ensure your information stays safe. If the new password is difficult to remember, consider using a password manager to help you keep track.
In addition, including numbers and symbols in your password makes it more secure. For example, instead of “applesauce” try @PPles@uce786. The more complex your password, the harder it is for hackers to obtain it.
Taking some time to create secure passwords is worth it as it can help you avoid becoming a victim of fraud.
Tags: Fraud Prevention Series, Security, Money Management