Top 10 Worst Passwords People Still Use in 2024!

Welcome dear Networkseclearners to this new tutorial where we will laugh and maybe cry together as we deep dive into the top 10 worst psswords people still Use in 2024!😅 Well, I thought it would be a good idea to have a less technical tutorial this time and instead bring some humor while reminding everyone of the worst password mistakes people are still making in 2024. As we approach the end of the year and prepare for 2025, let’s also take this opportunity to make New Year’s resolutions about improving our password habits! 😉

Passwords as you already know are like toothbrushes : personal, essential, and definitely not something you want to share. Yet, year after year, millions of people still use very weak passwords like “123456” as if hackers don’t have brains or tools. Seriously, we are in 2024, and cybercriminals are practically doing victory dances every time somebody types “password” as their password.

Let me give you an example that might sound unrealistic but is still very real in 2024. Imagine “securing” your online bank account with the password “qwerty”. Congratulations, you have made it easier to hack! Indeed, using weak passwords like that one is like leaving your front door wide open with a neon “Welcome, Hackers!” sign. Unsurprisingly, compromised passwords still account for a big number of breaches each year.

I would like to point out that these are not just anecdotes. This list is backed by serious research. Organizations like NordPass, GeeksforGeeks, and DemandSage have analyzed billions of leaked credentials to identify the most commonly used passwords :

1. A study by NordPass in 2024 analyzed over 3 billion leaked passwords and found that “123456” was used by more than 3 million accounts. (Source)
2. According to DemandSage, compromised passwords contributed to over 34% of hacking-related breaches in 2024.

These studies clearly show that despite constant warnings, many users still ignore basic password security advice. That’s why today, we are exploring the top 10 Worst Passwords of 2024, diving into why these choices are practically a welcome mat for hackers and most importantly learning how to create passwords that are actually secure.

But don’t worry, I’m not here to judge (okay, maybe just a little bit) but I’m here to help! In this article, we will explore the Top 10 Worst Passwords still used in 2024, explore why these choices are a one-way ticket to getting hacked and most importantly we will see together how to create passwords that even the sneakiest cybercriminals can’t crack. 🔒

If you have ever wondered whether your password might land on a “Worst Passwords” list, it’s time to find out and maybe have a laugh along the way. Enough talk! 😊 Let’s dive in and leave the days of “123456” behind for good!

1. Top 10 list

1.1 “123456”

Oh, where do we even begin? “123456” is the champion of bad passwords used by over 3 million accounts globally in 2024. It’s the first thing hackers try when they start guessing passwords because it’s just too easy. Choosing this password is like locking your front door but leaving the key under the welcome mat. It doesn’t work and hackers are basically thanking you for choosing this kind of weak password.

1.2 password

You would think people would learn by now but no. “password” has been in the top 5 worst passwords for the past decade. Why do people still use it? Because it’s easy to remember. Hackers on the other hand love it because it’s predictable and one of the first guesses in any dictionary attack. Using “password” is like labeling your house key “key” and leaving it on the doorstep.

1.3 123456789

Some people think adding a few extra digits to “123456” makes it secure. Spoiler alert : it doesn’t.😉 This password used by millions of individuals in 2024 can still be cracked in under a second. Adding numbers doesn’t help if the pattern is this obvious. It’s like trying to secure your house by putting a bigger welcome mat over the key.

1.4 qwerty

Here is a funny one : “qwerty” is literally the first six letters on your keyboard of course if you are using an English keyboard. If you are using a french keyboard, it will be “azerty” instead.Hackers know that people love keyboard patterns so that using “qwerty” is like painting a target on your back. It’s predictable, simple, and far too common.

1.5 abc123

If you thought mixing letters and numbers like “abc123” makes your password smart, think again. Hackers love this one because it is again predictable and shows up in almost every leaked password database. It’s like trying to outsmart a magician with the most obvious trick in the book. Spoiler : the magician always wins.

1.6 password1

Ah, the creativity here is unmatched. Adding a “1” to “password” must feel like a stroke of genius, right? Wrong. Hackers are fully aware of this tactic and this is one of the first things they test. Using “password1” is like slapping a “Do Not Enter” sign on an open door. It’s better than nothing, but not by much.

1.7 admin

This one is a classic especially for people who never change default passwords. If you are still using “admin” for your router or corporate account, you might as well hang a “Hack Me” sign. Hackers know default passwords like the back of their hand so leaving this unchanged is like handing them the keys to your house.

1.8 123123

Repetition doesn’t make a password stronger but it makes it weaker. “123123” is a favorite among people who want something easy to type but guess what? Hackers love it even more. They can crack this in less than a second.

1.9 111111

“111111” is so straightforward that it’s laughable. Hackers don’t even need sophisticated tools to crack this one. They could probably do it in their sleep. Using repeated characters might seem convenient but this lack of variety makes it one of the weakest choices out there.

1.10 letmein

“letmein” has a certain charm to it, doesn’t it? It is almost as if you are politely asking hackers to break in. This phrase based password might have been amusing in the 90s but now it’s just dangerous. Hackers love guessing common phrases and “letmein” is like rolling out a red carpet for them.

2. Reasons why these passwords are dangerous

The passwords we just listed in the previous section are very dangerous and here I would like to highlight the main reasons why :

2.1 Predictability

The worst passwords share one fatal characteristic : they’re too predictable. Hackers know these passwords are popular so they are the first ones tested during brute force attacks or dictionary attacks. Passwords like “123456” or “password” are practically begging to be cracked. It’s like trying to hide a treasure chest with a map that says “X marks the spot!”.

2.2 Lack of Complexity

Strong passwords require a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols. Predictable patterns like “qwerty” or “111111” are so simple that even the most basic hacking tools can crack them in miliseconds. Using them is like securing a bank vault with a plastic lock.

2.3 Repetition Across Accounts

Many users reuse these weak passwords across multiple platforms. This means that if a hacker cracks one account, they might gain access to several others. For instance, if your “123456” password is leaked in one breach, the attacker could use it to access your email, social media, or even banking accounts. It’s a domino effect of disaster.

3. What we can do to stay safe

3.1 Use Strong Passwords

A strong password should be at least 12 characters long and include a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. The more random and unique it is, the harder it will be to crack. For example “G%7jH@b8&1zQ” is far more secure than “123456”.

3.2 Avoid Predictable Patterns

Avoid sequences like “abcd” or “1234”, common words or personal information like your name or birthday. Hackers use algorithms that can guess these in seconds. Be creative and think of your password as a secret code that only you can understand.

3.3 Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification such as a text message, email code, or biometric scan. Even if a hacker gets your password, they can’t access your account without this second factor.

3.4 Use a Password Manager

Password managers like LastPass, Dashlane or 1Password can generate and store complex passwords for you. These tools take the guesswork out of creating secure passwords and ensure you don’t have to remember dozens of them.

3.5 Change Default Passwords

Devices like routers, IoT gadgets or even new apps often come with default passwords like “admin” or “1234.”. Always update these to something unique and secure. Leaving them unchanged is like leaving your car unlocked in a busy parking lot.

Conclusion

And there you have it, dear Networkseclearners the top 10 worst passwords people are still using in 2024 and why they’re a recipe for disaster! 😅 While it is easy to laugh at the absurdity of these choices, the risks they pose are no joke. Weak passwords remain one of the biggest reasons for data breaches and with cyber threats growing more sophisticated every day, it os time we all step up our password game.

As we head into 2025, let’s make a resolution to ditch the “123456” and “password1” of the world and embrace smarter, stronger password practices. Remember, a good password is your first line of defense basically it’s like the unbreakable lock on your digital front door. By creating unique, complex passwords, using tools like password managers and enabling multi-factor authentication, we are not just protecting ourself but we are making the internet a safer place for everyone. 💪

If you enjoyed this tutorial (or had a laugh along the way), don’t forget to share it with your friends and family. Let’s spread the word about better cybersecurity habits and leave the days of weak passwords behind us for good.

Stay secure and as always, happy learning! 😊