Types of Passwords Hackers Use for Their Own Accounts

Types of Passwords Hackers Use for Their Own Accounts

Types of Passwords Hackers Use for Their Own AccountsEver wondered what kind of passwords hackers use? If you’re like me, I would assume with the nature of a hackers’ “job,” they would be the best password creators. However, in a surprising twist in the world of cybercrime, it seems that even hackers use weak passwords, similar to the majority.

Anti-virus firm Avast took a sampling of approximately 40,000 passwords, collected from years of analyzing malware. What they discovered was that only 10% of passwords were beyond being guessed or cracked, and almost none of these “unique” passwords contained a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers or symbols.

Here are some password patterns discovered by this sampling:

  • Hackers most commonly used the lowercase letter “a;”
  • “f, j, v, w, y and z” were seldom used;
  • Uppercase letters were rarely used, but represented the first letter of the password or the whole password when they were;
  • Of the special characters, . was used the most;
  • Spaces as passwords get tested first by most hackers; and
  • “1” was the most used number.

What I thought was ironic was that most of the sampling’s passwords were English words or common phrases, but frequently the word “hack” was the complete password. (A bit of foreshadowing?) And, the average password was only 6 characters with only 52 of the 40,000 passwords consisting of 12 characters.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    Perimeter Security Standards for Multi-Site Businesses

    When you run or own a business that has multiple locations, it is important to set clear perimeter security standards. By doing this, it allows you to assess and mitigate any potential threats or risks at each site or location efficiently and effectively. Read Now

  • New Research Shows a Continuing Increase in Ransomware Victims

    GuidePoint Security recently announced the release of GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team’s (GRIT) Q1 2024 Ransomware Report. In addition to revealing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the number of ransomware victims, the GRIT Q1 2024 Ransomware Report observes major shifts in the behavioral patterns of ransomware groups following law enforcement activity – including the continued targeting of previously “off-limits” organizations and industries, such as emergency hospitals. Read Now

  • OpenAI's GPT-4 Is Capable of Autonomously Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

    According to a new study from four computer scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, OpenAI’s paid chatbot, GPT-4, is capable of autonomously exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities without any human assistance. Read Now

  • Getting in Someone’s Face

    There was a time, not so long ago, when the tradeshow industry must have thought COVID-19 might wipe out face-to-face meetings. It sure seemed that way about three years ago. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • ComNet CNGE6FX2TX4PoE

    The ComNet cost-efficient CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is a six-port switch that offers four Gbps TX ports that support the IEEE802.3at standard and provide up to 30 watts of PoE to PDs. It also has a dedicated FX/TX combination port as well as a single FX SFP to act as an additional port or an uplink port, giving the user additional options in managing network traffic. The CNGE6FX2TX4PoE is designed for use in unconditioned environments and typically used in perimeter surveillance. 3

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3