More ten than not, people take the easy way out when it comes to passwords. There are so many services that require a password that it’s easier to choose an easy one than a complicated one; but in exchange for ease, you lose security.
A new survey conducted by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Department for Digital, Media, and Sport (DCMS) in the UK has found that a staggering number people actually use musicians and pop culture for their passwords, many them across different services.
Among the top musicians are Blink-182 (285,706), 50 Cent (191,153), Eminem (167,983), Metallica (140,841), and Slipknot (140,833), while Superman (333,139), Naruto (242,749), Tigger (237,290), Pokemon (226,947), and Batman (203,116) lead the fictional front.
As Consequence Sound points out in their coverage the survey, yes, this is a UK specific study. Regardless, if any those passwords look familiar, you should change yours immediately.
“Nobody should protect sensitive data with something that can be guessed, like their first name, local football team or favorite band,” Dr Ian Levy, NCSC Technical Director explained. “Using hard-to-guess passwords is a strong first step and we recommend combining three random but memorable words. Be creative and use words memorable to you, so people can’t guess your password.”
If EDM fans were surveyed, it’s not unlikely that artists like Skrillex, Excision, or Illenium (or variations there) would be similarly popular.
Consult the full list passwords here and act accordingly.
Consequence Sound | Photo by Canadian Press / Rex Features