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WEAK PASSWORD STATISTICS 2024: BREACH & SECURITY DATA
Last Updated: September 22, 2024
Having weak passwords significantly raises the chances of your accounts being compromised.
Hackers are capable of extracting personal information and leaking it, which may lead to embarrassment and disrupt your daily routine.
They can also aggregate your financial information to empty your accounts or secure loans under your name.
This situation could create long-lasting problems, taking years to resolve.
You might assume that the strength of your passwords is inconsequential, believing that hackers target larger and wealthier individuals.
However, hackers often search for weak passwords and exploit the accessible information.
Therefore, it is essential to acknowledge the weak password statistics for 2024 and explore ways to enhance your password security.
Key Weak Password Statistics
30% of users have experienced a data breach due to weak passwords
It is estimated that 81% of data breaches occur due to inadequate password security
About two-thirds of Americans utilize a single password across multiple accounts
Approximately 43% of Americans have shared their password with someone
24% of Americans rely on the same common passwords
33% of passwords include the name of a pet
27% of Americans have attempted to guess another person’s password
Passwords with 12 characters take 62 trillion times longer to crack compared to those with six characters
Weak Password Statistics 2024
1. 30% of Users Have Experienced a Data Breach Due to Weak Passwords
Weak passwords are often easily guessed or cracked, without requiring sophisticated or costly software.
In fact, a weak password can frequently be compromised through simple credential stuffing techniques.
What’s even more surprising is that all participants in this survey were IT professionals, of whom 30% had experienced a data breach due to weak passwords.
Additionally, 23% of the respondents were uncertain whether they had sustained data breaches.
(GoodFirms)
2. An Estimated 81% of Data Breaches Are Because of Poor Password Security
The 2021 Verizon data breach investigations report indicates that 81% of all security breaches stem from weak passwords.
As 85% of breaches result from human factors, it’s evident that many data breaches occur due to human mistakes, particularly the use of weak passwords.
(Verizon)
3. As Many as Two Thirds of Americans Use One Password Across Several Accounts
A significant portion of Americans…
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Individuals seem to understand that having weak passwords makes them vulnerable to hacking.
However, a Google/Harris poll conducted in 2019 among 3,419 respondents revealed that 66% utilized the same password across multiple accounts.
In some instances, every account had an identical password.
An analysis by Microsoft in 2019 reinforced this concern, discovering that 44 billion accounts had the same password reused across various accounts!
And that’s just the beginning.
The Google/Harris poll also indicated that only 37% of individuals utilize two-factor authentication, while a mere 15% employ a password manager.
Moreover, only 34% of people make it a habit to change their passwords regularly, and an astonishing 36% document their passwords and changes on paper.
In summary, a significant number of individuals rely on weak passwords and lack effective security practices.
(Google, Harris Poll)
4. Around 43% of Americans Have Disclosed Their Password to Others
The Harris poll revealed that nearly half of Americans (43%) have disclosed their passwords to others.
In a significant portion of these cases, (57%) the sharing occurred with a partner.
This might seem harmless; however, 11% of these individuals did not change their password post-breakup.
Interestingly, 10% of respondents still remember passwords shared by former roommates, colleagues, or ex-partners.
(The Harris Poll)
5. 24% of Americans Rely on Common Passwords
A Google survey highlighted that 24% of Americans opt for common passwords that are both easy to remember and simple to crack.
These passwords are utilized by millions; if you belong to this group, you should change your password without delay.
The simplicity of cracking these passwords is evident in Google’s findings, revealing that 17% of those attempting to guess passwords succeeded.
The most frequently used passwords include:
Password
123456
Qwerty
Admin
Guest
Welcome
123456789
111111
(Google & NordPass)
6. 33% of Passwords Incorporate a Pet’s Name
Remembering numerous passwords can be challenging; thus, many resort to using the same password or selecting those that are easy to recall.
A startling 33% of individuals use their pet’s name as a basis for their passwords.
This approach makes passwords memorable, but with social media’s influence, they are also quite susceptible to being breached.
(Google)
7. 27% of Americans Have Attempted to Guess Another Person’s Password
The reasons why individuals attempt to guess passwords aren’t addressed by the survey.
However, it reveals that more than a quarter of Americans, specifically 27%, have attempted to guess another person’s password.
(Google)
8. Hacking a 12-Character Password Takes 62 Trillion Times Longer than a Six-Character Password
Experts in cyber security emphasize the significance of password length. A greater length translates to a stronger password.
The fact is, every additional character expands the number of possible combinations, making it increasingly difficult to crack.
For instance, a six-character password comprised of upper and lower case letters plus numbers can yield 57 billion unique combinations.
This means a brute force attack would have to work through 57 billion different password variations.
Introducing an extra character instantly enhances the combination count.
Doubled characters will result in more than a doubled list of potential solutions.
In simple terms, hacking a password of 12 characters would take 62 trillion times longer.
In practical terms, a six-character password could be cracked in about 16 seconds.
A password with 12 characters would take an estimated 854 years to break.
(Scientific American)
Identifying the Elements of a Weak Password
Weak passwords are characterized by various factors. The most apparent is when a password is simple to guess.
This typically refers to passwords that are found on the list of most common passwords.
Unexpectedly,
Despite their predictability, Password and 123456 continue to rank among the most commonly used passwords, with the majority of individuals being able to guess them within just one or two tries.
Using a generic password is not the only aspect that contributes to its weakness; the shorter the password, the more susceptible it is to being cracked.
Another element that can weaken your password is incorporating personal information.
For instance, contemporary password requirements often necessitate at least one number. Choosing something familiar, like your house number or birth year, makes it much simpler for potential hackers to deduce your password.
Don’t forget that those who know you well can estimate your birth year from your social media posts, while your IP address can reveal your geographic location.
In essence, passwords that are both short and based on personal details are the least secure choices.
While it’s true that a long and complex password is generally stronger and safer, it can still be deemed weak if it is reused across various accounts.
Although it might be difficult to crack, once a complex password is compromised, hackers can gain access to all associated accounts.
A password comprising fewer than eight characters is generally classified as weak.
Similarly, using patterns such as sequential numbers or keyboard sequences like ‘qwerty’ renders it more vulnerable.
If your password is weak, it is imperative to change it without delay. Even if a password is strong, it should still be updated regularly.
How To Create Strong Passwords
The simplest way to develop strong passwords is by steering clear of the aforementioned mistakes.
Opt for longer passwords, with a recommendation of at least 12 characters.
Incorporating random combinations of letters, numbers, and special characters is advisable, without the requirement for forming actual words or following a recognizable pattern.
Additionally, it’s best to avoid using any personally related words or numbers, such as the name of a loved one, a pet, or your former school.
Moreover, a strong password should be changed regularly.
Ideally, changing your passwords on a monthly basis is recommended, although this can make maintaining awareness of your latest password inconvenient.
That’s why using a password generator is often the most effective approach. These tools provide completely random passwords.
All you need to do is specify the minimum length of your password and whether it should include numbers and special characters.
The management feature of the tool will encrypt and store your passwords securely, enabling you to access them whenever needed.
Additional Security
Many individuals would prefer a solution other than passwords, and this trend is gaining traction as technologies like face recognition and biometric scans become more widespread.
However, passwords still play a crucial role in online security for the time being.
A reliable method to enhance password security is by implementing additional authentication, commonly referred to as two-factor identification.
This method involves sending a code to your phone for verification before completing a transaction.
By employing this strategy, it becomes significantly more challenging for a hacker to infiltrate your account, even if they manage to decipher your password. Nonetheless, using two-factor identification does not excuse the use of weak passwords.
FAQS
Summing Up
In this digital era, we are witnessing the gradual phasing out of cash, with more people opting for contactless cards and mobile payment applications.
Even everyday appliances can be controlled remotely from virtually anywhere.
Yet, despite the growing acclimatization to technology, passwords continue to present a challenge.
Most individuals understand the necessity for strong passwords that are updated frequently,but many still opt for weak passwords.
They are easier to memorize, convenient for quickly accessing accounts, and render personal data more susceptible to breaches.
This is true for both individuals and businesses.
Don’t wait for your passwords to be compromised and your account information to be stolen. Be aware of the weak password statistics for 2024 and update your passwords now.
Sources
We appreciate you taking the time to read this article titled: WEAK PASSWORD STATISTICS 2024: BREACH & SECURITY DATA
Data provided is from 2023 and 2024, with forecast figures extending to 2025 and 2026. Additionally, projections are available for 2027 and 2028.
* This information was taken from various sources around the world, including these countries:
Australia, Canada, USA, UK, UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, US, United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, U.S., South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.
Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi.
Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia (Hrvatska), Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic.
Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Metropolitan, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories.
Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard and McDonald Islands, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy.
Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.
Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar.
Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand (NZ), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway.
Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe.
Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria.
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK (United Kingdom), USA (United States of America, U.S.), US Minor Outlying Islands.
Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Europe, North America, Australia (Oceania), Middle East, South America.
Article Title: WEAK PASSWORD STATISTICS 2024: BREACH & SECURITY DATA
Last Updated: September 22, 2024
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Publish date : 2024-09-28 11:34:00
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Author : love-europe
Publish date : 2024-09-28 18:34:39
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