Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHANGE PASSWORD FROM, ER, PASSWORD
GCHQ reveals the most easily guessed log-ins
We suggest combining 3 random, memorable words… be creative
DR IAN LEVY BOFFIN AT CYBER SECURITY CENTRE
YOU’LL never guess the most easy-to-hack password…
Well, actually, you will – and so will almost anyone trying to get into your precious online accounts.
Because 23 million people have had data stolen after choosing password 123456.
And almost eight million who figured
123456789 would be secure also fell victim to cyber attacks.
A further four million tried to protect accounts using qwerty – the first six letters on the keyboard.
The “failsafe” fails were revealed by GCHQ boffins at the National Cyber Security Centre, who analysed passwords being sold and shared by hackers.
Dr Ian Levy said: “Nobody should protect sensitive data with something that can be guessed. We recommend combining three random, memorable words – be creative.”
Hackers often use special programs that repeatedly try passwords – starting with the most common. That was bad news for the 3.6 million who believed their accounts would be secure by using the password “password”.
Meanwhile more than three million thought 1111111 was safe.
Other common but easily guessed favourites are first names, football teams and bands.
The most compromised names include Ashley (432,276), Michael (425,291), Daniel (368,227) and Jessica (324,125). Soccer teams
Liverpool (280,723) and Chelsea (216,677) proved easy wins, while
Blink-182 (285,706), 50 Cent
(191,153) and Eminem (167,983) were music to a hacker’s ears.
Heroic fails included Superman
(333,139), Batman (203,116), and even Tigger (237,290).
Digital minister Margot James said: “Cyber security is serious. We shouldn’t make their lives easy.”