A recent analysis by NordPass has revealed that members of Generation Z are actually less secure with their passwords compared to older generations. The study found that the most common passwords among Gen Z include simplistic strings like ‘12345’, while ‘123456’ is the most frequently used password globally. This trend is not unique to younger users, as similar patterns are observed across all age groups. The report highlights that even the ‘more adventurous’ users only slightly improve their security by adding digits to these basic passwords, which can still be cracked instantly by attackers. Experts warn that such weak passwords make users vulnerable to cyberattacks, with security professionals noting that attackers can easily guess these common passwords without needing to expend significant resources.
Security.org’s password security checker underscores the ease with which these passwords can be hacked. According to the report, a computer could crack any of these instantly. Most attackers would not even need to expend the resources required to reveal the password, given how commonly used they are. They could just spray a list of known passwords at an authentication API and secure a quick win. This trend is concerning, as it indicates a lack of awareness regarding password security among a broad range of users. The findings suggest that despite advancements in technology and increased exposure to cybersecurity concepts, the fundamental practices of creating secure passwords have not improved significantly across age groups.