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Superman Tops the List as the Most Dangerous Password, While Batman Ranks Third
"Superman" is identified as the most dangerous password, followed by "Blink-182" and "Batman." Pop culture references are commonly used as passwords, indicating poor password hygiene. Reusing passwords across multiple accounts increases vulnerability to hacking.
It appears that many individuals opt for easily memorable passwords by incorporating pop culture references. However, this practice also highlights poor password hygiene, as people tend to reuse these common names across multiple accounts. While this may make it easier to remember passwords, it also exposes all online accounts to vulnerability if even one of them is compromised.
Mailsuite, the company behind the analysis of the 300 million hacked accounts, warns that hackers are well aware of this unsafe password practice. Shockingly, one in four people reuse the same password across more than eleven sites and apps, creating a domino effect that allows hackers to gain access to multiple accounts with just one breach.
The study further reveals that the most commonly used pop culture references as passwords include superheroes, fictional movie characters, sports team names, and rock stars. "Superman" tops the list with a staggering 584,697 data breaches, closely followed by "Blink-182" with 482,244 breaches. Surprisingly, "Batman" falls behind with 352,422 breaches, while "Spider-Man" ranks ninth with 253,179 appearances.
Here are the top 25 pop culture references to avoid when creating your own passwords:
1. Superman
2. Blink-182
3. Batman
4. Star Wars
5. Eminem
6. 50 Cent
7. Metallica
8. Slipknot
9. Spider-Man
10. Minecraft
11. Hello Kitty
12. Barbie
13. New York Yankees
14. Green Day
15. Slayer
16. Flo Rida
17. Pantera
18. Warcraft
19. Linkin Park
20. Harry Potter
21. Avatar
22. Terminator
23. Pikachu
24. Boston Red Sox
Interestingly, actors do not feature in the top 25 pop culture passwords. However, when examining actors' names used as passwords, Zac Efron takes the lead, followed by Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp. Surprisingly, only one woman, Emma Watson, makes it to the top 10.
Here are the top 10 actors' names used as passwords, based on data breaches:
1. Zac Efron
2. Brad Pitt
3. Johnny Depp
4. Emma Watson
5. Al Pacino
6. Will Smith
7. Jared Leto
8. Vin Diesel
9. Tom Cruise
10. Jackie Chan
While the study indicates a trend towards older cultural icons, it is possible that younger individuals are adopting smarter password practices. However, if you prefer creating your own passwords, here are some tips to ensure safety and security. Alternatively, using a password manager is highly recommended.
According to a recent Forbes Advisor report, LastPass, Nordpass, and 1Password are among the best password manager options available. However, my personal favorites are Apple's iCloud Keychain, which synchronises passwords across Apple devices, and Google's built-in password manager in Chrome. These options are completely free and invest heavily in maintaining the security of your passwords.
Although a password manager may present the risk of a single point of vulnerability, it compensates by generating highly secure passwords and simplifying your life. Additionally, it is crucial to avoid personalising passwords, as over a third of people include personal information in their passwords, making it easier for hackers to crack the code by scouring social media feeds for clues, as highlighted by Mailsuite.
"Superman" is identified as the most dangerous password, followed by "Blink-182" and "Batman."
Pop culture references are commonly used as passwords, indicating poor password hygiene.
Reusing passwords across multiple accounts increases vulnerability to hacking.
Source: FORBES