GITNUX REPORT 2024

Alarming Password Statistics: Weak Credentials Leave Data Vulnerable to Breaches

Shocking Password Statistics: 23 million use 123456; 90% crackable; 51% same for work/personal. Blog reveals more.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

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23 million account holders still use '123456' as a password

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The most common password is '123456', used by 23.2 million people

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30% of people use their pet's name in their password

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24% of Americans have used passwords like 'password', '123456', or 'qwerty'

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15% of people use their own name in their password

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47% of people use family names or birthdays in their passwords

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30% of people have used their pet's name as a password

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51% of people use the same passwords for both work and personal accounts

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Only 43% of people use strong passwords

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66% of Americans use the same password across multiple accounts

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59% of people mostly or always use the same password

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13% of people use the same password for all accounts

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44% of people change their passwords only when forced to

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61% of people use the same password for multiple accounts

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65% of people reuse passwords across multiple sites

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23% of adults have shared passwords with other people

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25% of employees use the same password for all their accounts

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54% of IT professionals reuse passwords across multiple accounts

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69% of people admit to sharing passwords with colleagues

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52% of people use the same passwords for personal and work accounts

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Only 24% of consumers use a unique password for each account

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43% of people have shared their Netflix password with someone else

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35% of people never change their passwords unless required

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73% of passwords are duplicates

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21% of people use passwords that are over 10 years old

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12% of people use the same password for all their accounts

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Only 8% of people use different passwords for all their accounts

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49% of employees simply change or add a digit when forced to update passwords

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25% of employees use the same password for all their accounts

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Only 24% of Americans use a password manager

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42% of organizations rely on sticky notes for password management

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53% of people rely on their memory to manage passwords

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Only 20% of Americans use password managers

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62% of businesses do not have visibility into employees' password practices

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Only 17% of people use a password manager for all their passwords

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28% of people use a password manager for some of their passwords

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Only 15% of people use password managers

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32% of people write their passwords down

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22% of internet users use a password manager

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Only 26% of companies have a password policy that requires strong passwords

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86% of people keep track of passwords by memorizing them

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Only 45% of businesses have company-wide password policies

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81% of data breaches are caused by weak or stolen passwords

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Only 55% of people would change their password after a breach

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91% of respondents claim to understand the risks of reusing passwords

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33% of account compromises in 2018 used stolen passwords

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45% of people don't change their passwords even after a breach

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Only 34% of people use two-factor authentication

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80% of hacking-related breaches involve compromised or weak credentials

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40% of people have had accounts hacked or passwords stolen

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55% of people would trust a company less if it experienced a breach

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42% of companies were breached due to a bad password

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70% of people want companies to provide two-factor authentication

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63% of data breaches involve weak, default, or stolen passwords

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44% of people believe their accounts are not valuable enough to be hacked

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57% of people who have been hacked before still haven't changed their passwords

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68% of people fear that their passwords will be hacked

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37% of credential theft breaches used stolen or weak credentials

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90% of passwords can be cracked in less than six hours

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39% of people create more complex passwords for financial accounts

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The average person has 100 passwords

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The average business user has 191 passwords

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The average user has 70-80 passwords

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75% of individuals say they have too many passwords to remember

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Summary

  • 81% of data breaches are caused by weak or stolen passwords
  • The average person has 100 passwords
  • 23 million account holders still use '123456' as a password
  • 51% of people use the same passwords for both work and personal accounts
  • 90% of passwords can be cracked in less than six hours
  • Only 43% of people use strong passwords
  • 66% of Americans use the same password across multiple accounts
  • The most common password is '123456', used by 23.2 million people
  • 59% of people mostly or always use the same password
  • 13% of people use the same password for all accounts
  • 44% of people change their passwords only when forced to
  • 30% of people use their pet's name in their password
  • The average business user has 191 passwords
  • 61% of people use the same password for multiple accounts
  • Only 55% of people would change their password after a breach

Unlocking the Secrets of Passwords: From 123456 to Fidos Name, the Surprising Habits You Never Knew About Did you know that a whopping 81% of data breaches stem from weak or stolen passwords? From the shocking revelation that 23 million people still use 123456 as their go-to password, to the eyebrow-raising fact that 30% of individuals incorporate their furry friends name into their login credentials, this article delves into the jaw-dropping statistics behind password habits that will make you rethink your digital security strategy.

Common Passwords

  • 23 million account holders still use '123456' as a password
  • The most common password is '123456', used by 23.2 million people
  • 30% of people use their pet's name in their password
  • 24% of Americans have used passwords like 'password', '123456', or 'qwerty'
  • 15% of people use their own name in their password
  • 47% of people use family names or birthdays in their passwords
  • 30% of people have used their pet's name as a password

Interpretation

The alarming reality of password security today can be likened to leaving the front door unlocked in a high-crime neighborhood and inviting the burglars in for tea. With 23 million individuals opting for the virtual equivalent of a "Welcome" mat in the form of '123456', it seems that convenience still reigns supreme over caution. From Fido to Fluffy, it appears that pets have evolved from faithful companions to unwitting accomplices in cybersecurity breaches, with 30% of users choosing their furry friends' names as their digital fortresses. While family names and birthdays may provide a warm sense of familiarity in passwords, they also make for a terribly insecure vault. In this digital age, it's high time we put some extra locks on our virtual doors and bid farewell to the days of using 'password' as our password.

Password Habits

  • 51% of people use the same passwords for both work and personal accounts
  • Only 43% of people use strong passwords
  • 66% of Americans use the same password across multiple accounts
  • 59% of people mostly or always use the same password
  • 13% of people use the same password for all accounts
  • 44% of people change their passwords only when forced to
  • 61% of people use the same password for multiple accounts
  • 65% of people reuse passwords across multiple sites
  • 23% of adults have shared passwords with other people
  • 25% of employees use the same password for all their accounts
  • 54% of IT professionals reuse passwords across multiple accounts
  • 69% of people admit to sharing passwords with colleagues
  • 52% of people use the same passwords for personal and work accounts
  • Only 24% of consumers use a unique password for each account
  • 43% of people have shared their Netflix password with someone else
  • 35% of people never change their passwords unless required
  • 73% of passwords are duplicates
  • 21% of people use passwords that are over 10 years old
  • 12% of people use the same password for all their accounts
  • Only 8% of people use different passwords for all their accounts
  • 49% of employees simply change or add a digit when forced to update passwords
  • 25% of employees use the same password for all their accounts

Interpretation

In a digital age where security breaches are as common as morning coffee, these password statistics are a colorful reminder of just how nonchalant we are about safeguarding our virtual lives. It seems that for many, the convenience of using the same easily guessable password across multiple accounts trumps the fear of potential cyber attacks. It’s as if we’re inviting hackers in for tea and cookies, sharing our digital secrets with all the discretion of a reality TV star. Maybe it’s time we take a cue from the 8% who actually bother to differentiate their passwords and start treating our online security like the precious treasure it truly is.

Password Management

  • Only 24% of Americans use a password manager
  • 42% of organizations rely on sticky notes for password management
  • 53% of people rely on their memory to manage passwords
  • Only 20% of Americans use password managers
  • 62% of businesses do not have visibility into employees' password practices
  • Only 17% of people use a password manager for all their passwords
  • 28% of people use a password manager for some of their passwords
  • Only 15% of people use password managers
  • 32% of people write their passwords down
  • 22% of internet users use a password manager
  • Only 26% of companies have a password policy that requires strong passwords
  • 86% of people keep track of passwords by memorizing them
  • Only 45% of businesses have company-wide password policies

Interpretation

In a world where our digital lives are secured by strings of characters, it seems that the password game remains a puzzling challenge for many. With statistics showing that sticky notes and memory are the top contenders for password management solutions, it's no wonder hackers have a field day. Only a fraction of the population sees the light and entrusts their gatekeeper duties to password managers, while the majority seem content with playing Russian roulette with their online security. As businesses struggle to keep up with employees' password habits, one thing is clear - in this battle of wits, it's high time we all raise the stakes and level up our password game before the consequences come knocking.

Password Security

  • 81% of data breaches are caused by weak or stolen passwords
  • Only 55% of people would change their password after a breach
  • 91% of respondents claim to understand the risks of reusing passwords
  • 33% of account compromises in 2018 used stolen passwords
  • 45% of people don't change their passwords even after a breach
  • Only 34% of people use two-factor authentication
  • 80% of hacking-related breaches involve compromised or weak credentials
  • 40% of people have had accounts hacked or passwords stolen
  • 55% of people would trust a company less if it experienced a breach
  • 42% of companies were breached due to a bad password
  • 70% of people want companies to provide two-factor authentication
  • 63% of data breaches involve weak, default, or stolen passwords
  • 44% of people believe their accounts are not valuable enough to be hacked
  • 57% of people who have been hacked before still haven't changed their passwords
  • 68% of people fear that their passwords will be hacked
  • 37% of credential theft breaches used stolen or weak credentials

Interpretation

In a world where the strength of your password could mean the difference between cyber security and chaos, the statistics paint a concerning picture. With weak or stolen passwords being the root cause of a staggering 81% of data breaches, it seems that many of us are playing a dangerous game of chance with our online security. Despite understanding the risks, a significant 55% of individuals are reluctant to change their passwords after a breach, while a mere 34% opt for the added security of two-factor authentication. It's clear that complacency and a false sense of security still reign supreme, as evidenced by the 45% who neglect to update their passwords post-breach and the 44% who believe their accounts are not worth hacking. As we navigate this treacherous digital landscape, it's high time for a collective wake-up call to prioritize robust password practices and safeguard our virtual identities before it's too late.

Password Strength

  • 90% of passwords can be cracked in less than six hours
  • 39% of people create more complex passwords for financial accounts

Interpretation

In a digital age where protecting our virtual identities is as crucial as guarding our physical possessions, the statistics on password security paint a concerning yet hopeful picture. The alarming fact that 90% of passwords can be cracked in less than six hours serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability we face in cyberspace. However, the slight silver lining lies in the 39% of individuals who exhibit a sense of cyber-awareness by creating more complex passwords for their financial accounts. Perhaps it's time we all adopt a more proactive approach to password protection before the ticking clock of technological advancement catches up with our security shortcomings.

Password Usage

  • The average person has 100 passwords
  • The average business user has 191 passwords
  • The average user has 70-80 passwords
  • 75% of individuals say they have too many passwords to remember

Interpretation

In a world where the average person juggles more passwords than they do responsibilities, the struggle to keep track is real. With an impressive arsenal of 100 different codes to unlock their digital lives, it's no wonder individuals and business users alike find themselves buried under a mountain of alphanumeric madness. As 75% confess to having more passwords than memory cells, one thing is clear: in the battle of man versus password, the struggle is all too real. So, let us stand together in solidarity as we navigate the treacherous landscape of logins, armed only with our wits and a trusty password manager.

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