Most-used passwords 2020: digit sequences top the list again

Using strong passwords is becoming increasingly important as cyber attacks and identity theft become more prevalent. Unfortunately, many users are still not aware of the importance of using complex passwords. In 2020, the most commonly used passwords were examined again and the results were sobering: number sequences are once again at the top of the list.
The number sequences used are often very simple and easy to guess. For example, “123456” are and “654321” still in the top ten most used passwords. But also other simple combinations like “111111”, “000000” and “qwerty” are widely used.
However, there is also good news: Compared to last year, there was a slight improvement in the use of secure passwords. Nevertheless, much remains to be done to make users aware of the importance of secure passwords and to contribute to a secure use of the Internet.

Password security remains a sensitive issue

The year 2020 has shown that many Internet users still use passwords that are too simple, thus putting their online accounts at high risk. A recently published statistic shows that digit sequences are once again at the top of the list of most-used passwords. This is a worrying trend, as such passwords are easy to guess, especially if they consist of commonly known sequences such as “123456” or “0000” exist.

Experts have been warning against the use of insecure passwords for years and recommend creating passwords with a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. In addition, passwords should be changed regularly and not reused for different online accounts.

• Do not use passwords that are easy to guess, such as your date of birth or your name.
• Create minimum password lengths of 12 characters.
• Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters.
• Change your password regularly and use a different password for each account.

It is important that Internet users are aware of the importance of strong passwords to protect their personal information and ensure that their online behavior is not monitored by criminals. Companies also need to ensure they provide their users with the tools and guidance to help them create strong passwords and protect their online accounts.