Unlocking Security: Why Strong Passwords Matter

In today's digital world, passwords are the first and sometimes only line of defence against unauthorised access to our personal and professional information. Despite their importance, many people still use weak or reused passwords, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Here’s why strong passwords are crucial and some eye-opening statistics to highlight their significance.

Why Strong Passwords Matter

1. Protection Against Unauthorised Access: Strong passwords make it significantly harder for hackers to gain access to your accounts. A strong password typically includes a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters, making it difficult to guess or crack.

2. Prevention of Data Breaches: Weak passwords are a leading cause of data breaches. Over 80% of confirmed breaches are related to stolen, weak, or reused passwords 

3. Safeguarding Personal Information: From banking details to your Facebook account, much of our personal life is protected by passwords. A strong password helps ensure that this information remains secure and not posted to some random dark web forum.

   
   

Some Eye-Opening Statistics

• Password Exposure: In 2022, over 24 billion passwords were exposed online by hacking groups 

• Common Passwords: Shockingly, the most common password is still "123456"

• Password Reuse: Over 60% of people admit to reusing passwords across multiple accounts or services

• Password Strength: A 12-character password is 62 trillion times more difficult to crack compared to a 6-character password 

  
  

Best Practices for Strong Passwords

1. Use a Mix of Characters: Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

2. Avoid Common Words and Phrases: Steer clear of easily guessable passwords like using your name or part of it, "password" or "123456".

3. Use a Password Manager: Password managers can generate and store complex passwords, reducing password reuse between your accounts.

4. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security, making it much harder for attackers to gain access to your account.

By understanding the importance of strong passwords and implementing best practices, you can significantly reduce your risk of unauthorised access and better protect your information.

Security.org provides an easy to use tool to see how long it would take a computer to crack your password https://www.security.org/how-secure-is-my-password/ give it a go, you might be surprised by the results!

Adam Tuffery

Director of IT