Gen Z Password Security Lags Behind Older Generations, Study Finds
Recent research from NordPass highlights a troubling trend in digital security habits among Generation Z. The study, published by The Register, shows that young adults are more likely to use easily guessable passwords compared to older demographics. While some Gen Z users have adopted unique slang like ‘skibidis’ in their passwords, the majority still rely on simple combinations such as ‘123456.’ This password has been the most commonly used across all age groups for the sixth time in seven years, according to the analysis.
Experts emphasize that passwords like ‘123456’ and its variants are among the fastest to crack, as they are widely known and often used across multiple accounts. Security.org’s password security tool confirms that even basic computational power could break these passwords in seconds. Cybercriminals are reported to use password spraying techniques, where they attempt a list of common passwords against multiple accounts, increasing their chances of gaining unauthorized access without needing to invest significant resources.
The findings suggest a broader issue in digital literacy, where younger generations may be less aware of the security risks associated with weak passwords. While there is some evidence that Gen Z is experimenting with more creative password strategies, the overall trend remains unchanged. The study serves as a reminder that cybersecurity education and awareness must be prioritized across all age groups to mitigate the risk of digital breaches.