Gen Z Password Security Lags Behind Older Generations
A recent analysis by NordPass revealed that Gen Z is significantly less secure with their password choices compared to older generations. The study found that ‘12345’ is the most common password among members of the younger cohort, while ‘123456’ continues to dominate as the most frequently used password across all age groups. Despite some variation in the types of passwords chosen, the overall trend remains consistent: even the more complex variations of simple passwords are vulnerable to rapid cracking by cybercriminals.
The report highlights the importance of adopting stronger password practices to protect online accounts. According to Security.org’s password security checker, a computer could crack any of these passwords instantly, making them highly susceptible to brute-force attacks. 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.
The findings are particularly concerning as more individuals rely on online platforms for everyday activities. Cybersecurity experts caution that the widespread use of weak passwords increases the risk of data breaches and identity theft. With the growing reliance on digital services, improving password security is crucial to safeguarding personal and financial information.
While the study underscores the need for better password habits, it also highlights that some individuals attempt to add complexity to their passwords by including additional digits. For example, variations like ‘1234567’ or ‘12345678’ were also observed, though these still pose minimal security challenges. The report serves as a reminder that true security requires more than just adding numbers—it necessitates the use of unique, complex passwords and the implementation of multi-factor authentication to enhance online safety.