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Is Your Password on This List?

by Tim Stevens on April 30, 2007 at 12:27 PM

Password Security
Remembering dozens of different logins can be a chore, but assigning every account you have the same password can be dangerous, especially if you've used one of the top 10 most common passwords, according to 'PC Magazine.'

Top of the list? The word password, a choice so obvious that it's the first one potential intruders use when they're trying access other people's accounts. If you think you're being tricky with numbers, the slightly more secure password1 appears in the number eight spot, with your own first name coming in at number 10 as the most secure of the list of completely insecure passwords.

Here's the list -- make sure your password is not one of these terms:

  1. password
  2. 123456
  3. qwerty
  4. abc123
  5. letmein
  6. monkey
  7. myspace1
  8. password1
  9. blink182
  10. (your first name)

In addition to the list above, here are some things the editors at Switched recommend you avoid:

  1. Your birthday
  2. Your pet's name
  3. Your girlfriend/boyfriend's name
  4. Your street name
  5. Your social security number
  6. Your favorite color/number

Now, if you need help finding something unique and secure, try an online password generator, or just put a long jumble of random letters and numbers together. Whatever you do, stop using your company's name as your work password. That's a sure-fire way to get on your IT staff's "list."

From geeksugar and PC Magazine

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Tags: Password

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