Last year, there were 1,862 data breaches according to the Identity Theft Resource Center’s 2021 Annual Data Breach Report. That is an all time high and a 68% increase over breaches in 2020. When data breaches happen, emails and passwords associated with online accounts are also commonly leaked, leaving consumers at risk of phishing scams or identity theft.
According to Lookout, a business offering security, privacy, and identity theft protection sservices, on average, 80% of consumers have had their email leaked on the dark web.
May 5th was World Password Day, a day dedicated to updating personal passwords, and spreading awareness of password strength importance. To keep information safe, Lookout has shared the 10 most common passwords leaked on the dark web.
Top 10 Passwords Found On Dark Web:
- 123456
- 123456789
- qwerty
- password
- 12345
- 12345678
- 111111
- 1234567
- 123123
- qwerty123
Do you spot your password on this list? Always use strong and unique passwords, and take extra steps to protect your online accounts:
- Lookout and other businesses offer tools to get a report of any data breaches that may be associated with your email and online accounts.
- If your email has been leaked, it’s important to change your passwords to the associated online accounts immediately.
- For an added layer of protection, enable two-factor authentication (like Google Authenticator) to protect your accounts. Two-factor authentication helps protect your account even if your account credentials are compromised.
Lookout’s advanced security solutions can also take the burden off your hands and monitor potential breaches for you. If you’re interested in a cyber expert to discuss password strength or to talk more in depth about what Lookout does, I‘d be happy to connect you directly.
Current Issue - April 2024