More
- Classifieds
- Cars
- Deals
- Real Estate
- Rentals
- Photos
- Blogs

’123456′ replaces ‘password’ as most common password found in data breaches

By Andrea Peterson
January 21 at 3:42 pm

(Warner Bros.)

It's no secret that there's a lot of bad password hygiene in this world. But a recent survey of the most common passwords found on the Internet due to data breaches shows that the perennial password favorite, "password," is no longer at the top of the list.

It has been replaced by two-time runner up, "123456."

Also making an appearance at number 25 on the list was "000000" — which is eerily similar to the "00000000" that was reportedly the launch code for U.S. nuclear missiles for 20 years.

You can view the full list here. In case you're looking for some advice on how to choose good passwords, this classic xkcd comic is an excellent place to start.

Andrea Peterson covers technology policy for The Washington Post, with an emphasis on cybersecurity, consumer privacy, transparency, surveillance and open government. She also delves into the societal impacts of technology access and how innovation is intertwined with cultural development.

« This Google Glass user went to the movies. Then he got interrogated for about four hours. The one weird trick the U.S. could use to stop major fraud in its tracks »

The Switch

Where technology and policy connect

’123456′ replaces ‘password’ as most common password found in data breaches

By Andrea Peterson

January 21 at 3:42 pm

Andrea Peterson covers technology policy for The Washington Post, with an emphasis on cybersecurity, consumer privacy, transparency, surveillance and open government. She also delves into the societal impacts of technology access and how innovation is intertwined with cultural development.

Also on The Switch

This Google Glass user went to the movies. Then he got interrogated for about four hours.