40+ Password Statistics That Will Change Your On-line Habits

Do you know that 1 in 4 folks have a minimum of one account compromised on account of weak passwords?

All of us use passwords to guard delicate data like financial institution accounts, work logins and medical data. But, many fail to prioritize safety and nonetheless depend on easy-to-guess passwords — placing their private information at severe threat. 

The password statistics under reveal some alarming penalties of poor safety habits. We additionally discover key password developments, together with frequent errors, password reuse habits, information breaches and finest practices for stronger safety.

Desk of contents:

Key Password Statistics

Understanding key password statistics is essential for assessing how successfully people and organizations are securing their on-line accounts. These statistics reveal frequent password practices, safety vulnerabilities and developments that may assist inform higher password administration methods. 

1. 68% of customers needed to reset passwords on a number of accounts after a safety breach. (Forbes)
2. In 2023, “123456” was probably the most generally used password globally, showing over 4.5 million instances. (Statista)
3. Over 20% of Individuals report not doing something to maintain their password secure. (Forbes)
4. 1 in 4 folks reported a minimum of one account being compromised on account of weak passwords. (Fido Advisor)
5. In 2024, over 1 billion credentials have been stolen by malware. (Specops)

Weak Password Statistics and Habits

Whereas the capabilities of cybercriminals proceed to evolve, our password administration habits and understanding of correct cybersecurity practices haven’t saved the identical tempo. This goes for each customers and companies, because the statistics under reveal.

6. 230 million stolen passwords met normal complexity necessities. (Specops)
7. The highest 5 stolen quick passwords and their actual matches embrace “123456” with 3.7 million occurrences, adopted by admin at 1.9 million, “12345678” with 1.5 million, password at “558,000” and “Password” with 474,000 matches. (Specops)
8. 12345678 and 123456789 have been each used greater than 1 million instances in 2023. (Statista)
9. 20% of customers report not doing something to maintain their passwords secure. (Forbes)
10. 83% of smartphone customers say that they take steps to guard their cell gadgets by way of security measures akin to setting a passcode. (Pew Analysis Heart)
11. Amongst smartphone house owners, 16% say they by no means use a safety characteristic like a passcode, fingerprint or face recognition to unlock their telephone. (Pew Analysis Heart)

Password Reuse Statistics

Password reuse is a significant safety threat, because it permits cybercriminals to simply entry a number of accounts as soon as a single password is compromised. Regardless of the rising consciousness of this risk, many customers proceed to reuse passwords throughout totally different platforms. 

12. 34% of customers use sturdy passwords however repeat variations of them throughout totally different accounts. (Keeper.io)
13. 23% of individuals use the identical password throughout three to 4 totally different accounts. (Forbes)
14. 14% use the identical password for 5 to 6 accounts, 7% for seven to eight accounts and 4% for 9 to 10 accounts. (Forbes)
15. 4% of individuals use the identical password for 11 or extra accounts, exposing themselves to important dangers on account of in depth password reuse. (Forbes)

Password Hacking Statistics

With hackers changing into extra refined, understanding the most recent statistics on password hacking may also help people and organizations higher defend themselves. Let’s have a look at the newest information on password hacking developments and their influence.

16. In 2024, the common value of a information breach elevated to $4.88 million, up from $4.45 million in 2023. (IBM)
17. Malicious insider assaults had the very best prices, averaging practically $5 million, adopted by enterprise e-mail compromise, phishing, social engineering and stolen or compromised credentials. (IBM)
18. 11% of individuals say their e-mail or social media account has been taken over with out permission. (Pew Analysis Heart)
19. 7% of customers report that somebody has tried to open a line of credit score or apply for a mortgage of their identify. (Pew Analysis Heart)
20. 80% of profitable information breaches stem from compromised login credentials. (Keeper.io)

Password Supervisor Statistics

Password managers have gotten more and more important for securing on-line accounts and delicate data. As cyberthreats proceed to rise, extra people and companies are turning to those instruments for higher password administration. On this part, we’ll discover key statistics that spotlight the rising adoption and influence of password managers.

21. Password supervisor adoption noticed a slight enhance in 2024, with 36% of American adults subscribing to those companies, equating to 94 million customers, up from 34% in 2023. (Safety.org)
22. Customers with password managers have been much less more likely to expertise identification or credential theft previously 12 months, with 17% affected in comparison with 32% of these with out. (Safety.org)
23. 30% of web customers depend on password managers to maintain observe of their passwords. (Bitwarden)
24. 44% of customers mentioned they began utilizing password managers as a result of they ceaselessly forgot their passwords. (Bitwarden)
25. Over 75% of people that don’t use a password supervisor say they might take into account adopting one if it offers the precise stability of usability, safety and affordability. (Safety.org)
26. Solely 7% of respondents globally acknowledge password managers as one of the best ways to attain private cybersecurity. (Keeper.io)

Password Safety Statistics by Business

Cybercriminals pose a major threat not solely to residence customers but in addition to giant organizations throughout varied industries. Nevertheless, the influence varies considerably between sectors. Compliance laws differ tremendously, and a few industries are extra proactive in adopting and sustaining sturdy safety measures than others. Let’s take a look:

27. Finance, industrial sector, skilled companies and expertise accounted for 47% of the 604 organizations affected by information breaches. (IBM)
28. Leisure, well being care and analysis have been the least affected, with solely 2% of the 604 organizations experiencing information breaches. (IBM)

29. Building has the very best proportion of reused passwords (52%) and weak passwords (13%), making it one of the crucial weak sectors. (Dashlane)
30. Well being care additionally struggles with safety — 49% of passwords are reused and 5% are compromised. (Dashlane)
31. Manufacturing has the very best proportion of reused passwords (43%) however one of many lowest charges of compromised passwords (2%). (Dashlane)
32. Power and utilities keep comparatively higher safety, with solely 10% weak passwords and three% compromised. (Dashlane)
33. Authorized has a excessive proportion of reused passwords (42%) however a decrease fee of compromised passwords (4%). (Dashlane)

Password Safety Statistics by Firm Dimension

34. Midsize companies (100-999 staff) had the bottom share of compromised passwords at 1.9%, in comparison with small companies and enterprises. (Dashlane)
35. Small companies had the very best proportion of compromised passwords at 3.4%. (Dashlane)
36. Enterprises had 2.9% of passwords compromised, inserting them between small and midsize companies. (Dashlane)

Password Developments

37. Most Individuals proceed to depend on dangerous password practices. Greater than half of adults use unsecured strategies, akin to memorization, browser storage or written data, to handle their passwords. (Safety.org)
38. 69% of customers consider it’s extra vital for a password to be safe than straightforward to recollect. (Bitwarden)
39. 25% of customers globally mentioned they use sturdy, distinctive passwords for all their accounts. (Keeper.io)
40. 19% of individuals consider enabling multi- or two-factor authentication is an efficient technique to defend in opposition to on-line breaches. (Keeper.io)
41. The highest methods individuals are preserving their passwords secure are Face ID at 31% and a password supervisor at 30%. (Forbes)
42. In line with Forbes, the highest password errors folks made in 2024 embrace:

• Writing passwords down: 38%
• Counting on reminiscence to recollect passwords: 35%
• Storing passwords on their pc: 24%

Enhance Your Password Safety

Bettering your password safety is crucial in defending your on-line accounts from cyberthreats. Implementing stronger and extra distinctive passwords, together with further safety measures, can considerably scale back the danger of unauthorized entry. Listed below are some sensible tricks to improve your password safety:

• Create passphrases utilizing random, unrelated phrases: Utilizing random phrases that don’t type a logical phrase makes it a lot tougher for hackers to guess or crack your password. Combining unrelated phrases additionally will increase password complexity.
• Arrange 2FA: Two-factor authentication (2FA) provides an additional layer of safety by requiring a second type of verification, akin to a code despatched to your telephone, along with your password.
• Use keyboard patterns which can be non-linear and unpredictable: Keep away from utilizing frequent keyboard patterns like “qwerty” or “12345.” Go for random, unpredictable patterns which can be tougher to guess.
• Incorporate emojis or particular characters, if supported: Including emojis or particular characters can additional complicate your password, making it harder for hackers to crack.
• Use totally different e-mail addresses for delicate accounts: For further safety, use distinctive e-mail addresses for vital accounts, akin to banking or buying websites, to cut back the danger of phishing assaults.
• Use a password generator: A password generator can create sturdy, random passwords which can be tougher to crack. Think about using a trusted password supervisor to maintain observe of them securely.

Strengthen Your Safety As we speak With Panda

Creating sturdy, distinctive passwords is among the most vital steps you may take to guard your on-line accounts from cyberthreats. With passwords being a primary goal for hackers, it’s important to make sure they’re advanced and laborious to guess. Panda’s Password Generator simplifies this course of by creating sturdy, random passwords for you, serving to to reinforce your safety effortlessly. 

For a extra streamlined and safe password administration expertise, think about using a dependable password supervisor like Panda Dome.

FAQ

How Many Passwords Does the Common Particular person Have?

The typical consumer has about 168 passwords for private accounts and a further 87 passwords for work, totaling roughly 255 passwords.

Which Is the Most Hacked Password?

“123456” is probably the most hacked password. It’s been used over 3 million instances and has been concerned in additional than 50 million information breaches.