progress with passwords

[ChrisGreaves]

I can remember not so long ago when every man and his dog used "1234" as their password. And we thought that was progress after all those years of "abc"!
Now this report turns our world on its ear!
Question is: How did the researchers discover these passwords?

[HansV]

SplashData compiles a list annually by collecting stolen data published by hackers throughout the year and analysing the passwords. It excludes data from non-English speaking countries.

Also interesting: the second most popular password (after "123456") was "password".

I always use "incorrect". When I mistype it, the website will remind me: the password is incorrect.

[jonwallace]

SplashData compiles a list annually by collecting stolen data published by hackers throughout the year and analysing the passwords. It excludes data from non-English speaking countries.

Also interesting: the second most popular password (after "123456") was "password".

I always use "incorrect". When I mistype it, the website will remind me: the password is incorrect.

That's really clever Hans. Can I use it when I'm resetting people's passwords?

On another security feature, I've started suggesting that people choose a single answer for security questions, the one where it asks you your mother's maiden name, you fill it in diligently, then can't remember how it's spelled next time you're asked for it. I usually suggest "hamster", but "incorrect" is going to be my new favourite!

[Argus]

Yep, if using security questions, I always mix answers with questions, not that it matter for a computer, cracking it; mother's maiden name, school teacher etc. then it's "krokant-waffel" or similar. In the end the answer might get more complex, convoluted, than the password.

[DaveA]

"mother's maiden name" is public information, and any place that would use this a security question, I would take my business elsewhere and I have!
There are way to many ways in finding a name of a person, so beware of anything like this.
Remember that I spend a lot of time tracking down family members.

[Rudi]

According to that list we can assume the Michael is the most common culprit!

[GeoffW]

"mother's maiden name"

For many women, their maiden aim is to get married.

[HansV]

So you suggest using "to get married" as answer to the security question "What was your mother's maiden name"?

[jonwallace]

Obviously you don't have to answer with the truth. They're not going to refuse to take your money just because you lied about your mother's maiden name. All you need is an answer you'll remember... (the hard bit - but that's what post-its are for)

[Claude]

My password is always the name of my dog... I change dogs every 6 months

[HansV]

Ah... serial polytheism...

[Claude]

I'm afraid I'm not that religious Hans

[HansV]

Sorry, I read it as "I change gods every 6 months"...

[Rudi]

Sorry, I read it as "I change gods every 6 months"...

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[Claude]

Sorry, I read it as "I change gods every 6 months"...

I knew my typing skills aren't up to scratch, but, on reflection, I really think you need to go to the optometrist to get a prescription ASAP Hans

[DaveA]

Sorry, I read it as "I change gods every 6 months"...

I knew my typing skills aren't up to scratch, but, on reflection, I really think you need to go to the optometrist to get a prescription ASAP Hans

I thought you were dead!

[GeoffW]

Sorry, I read it as "I change gods every 6 months"...

I knew my typing skills aren't up to scratch, but, on reflection, I really think you need to go to the optometrist to get a prescription ASAP Hans

I think there was a reference to this thread

[ChrisGreaves]

maiden aim

Good one. I got it!!

[ChrisGreaves]

...that's what post-its are for)

[Rudi]

So how you create a nice long password that you won't easily forget?
Nursery rhymes? Sequences?