The Rockyou2024 leak, which revealed about 10 billion passwords last July, may seem like old news, but its impact is still felt today.
It is considered the largest password compilation ever released. With this vast collection of compromised credentials in circulation, the risk of credential stuffing, identity theft and unauthorized access to online accounts and systems remains high. For those who are still reusing their passwords, the risk is real and growing.
So password security has never become more important than ever, and there are big questions left, and how secure is passwords?
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Tablet username and password (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
Why is password strength important?
Think of a weak password as the open door for a hacker. According to a recent report, many common passwords can literally crack in seconds. Simple or reused passwords are particularly vulnerable to automatic attacks, and when one account is compromised, the other accounts are often immediately compromised.
If you have signed up for an experience a Data Breaches Also, login information is leaked. An attacker can try the same password on other platforms, and could unlock much more than one account.
A strong password will act as your first line of defense. They are long, complicated and unique, making it extremely difficult for attackers to guess or force their way. If all accounts have their own strong passwords, even if they are missed, they will stay safe for the rest.
Think of it like this. A weak password is like using the same key in your home, car, or office and leaving it under your doormat. Strong password? This is like a unique and high security key for every door in your digital life.
Username and Password Illustration (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
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What are the top 5 passwords to avoid?
The most commonly used and secure passwords are:
- 123456
- 123456789
- 12345678
- password
- QWERTY123
These passwords are very easy to guess and should be avoided at any cost.
Illustration of password login on laptop (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
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Password Strength Test: 7 Point Self-Evaluation Checklist
How secure is your password? It’s time to test it out. Grab a pen (or simply keep your mental tally) and earn yourself based on this 7-point password strength test. Each “yes” will earn you points. So let’s take a look at how passwords can withstand in today’s threat situation.
1. Is the password at least 12 characters long?
Length is your first line of defense. Short passwords – Think 6-8 characters – are broken in minutes with the latest hacking tools. With more than 12 characters, the attack is exponentially difficult for successful attacks.
2. Does it contain a mixture of top and lowercase letters?
Mixing uppercase and lowercase letters will enhance your passwords by increasing complexity. For example, instead of using something like “T8G5K9W2”, use “T8G5K9W2”. Mix together.
3. Is the numbers included?
Adding numbers makes it difficult for your password to crack. Instead of sticking to just characters like “trkplmsh”, try something like “tr8k5plm2sh”. Randomly placed numbers increase complexity and make passwords more secure.
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4. Does it contain special characters?
! Symbols like , @, #, $ add another layer of security. For example, a password like “T8G5K9W2” becomes even stronger as “T8G5#K9W2!” Special characters help to increase complexity and protect against attacks.
5. Is it unique (it won’t be reused across your entire account)?
Reusing a password is like passing a master key to a hacker. If one account is compromised and you reuse that password elsewhere, we’ll toast. One password, one purpose. There are no exceptions.
6. Do you avoid personal information such as your date of birth?
Your name, birthday or “Fluffy1990” (your dog’s name and year of birth) may feel clever, but they are Goldmine for attackers who can shave off social media and violated data. Make it impersonal and unpredictable.
7. Have you changed it in the last 90 days?
Even good passwords can get old. Update every 90 days is a wise move. If the site you use has security issues, it will be faster.
Illustration of password login on laptop (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
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How did you score?
Now let’s take a look at your score:
- 0-2 points: you know. Password waving a welcome flag for hackers. Serious upgrade time.
- 3-4 points: Not bad, but you are still vulnerable. Patch these weak spot prontos.
- 5-6 points: A solid effort! You’re approaching fortress level security – a little more adjustment.
- 7 points: nailed it. The password is strong and secure. Don’t forget to keep it up to date.
This quick password strength test is not just a quiz, it’s a good reminder. Even one weak spot is everything someone needs to break in. In a world full of data leaks, powerful and unique passwords are one of the easiest ways to protect yourself. So, what is your score? Do you think it’s time to level up?
What should I do if my password is not strong?
If your score didn’t hit seven of the seven marks at all, don’t worry. Good news? Identifying weaknesses has already taken the first step. Now you have two options:
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Building a better password yourself
To keep your password safe, use a password that is at least 12 characters long, with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Please avoid using personal information or general patterns. Always use a different password for each account and enable it Two-factor authentication Whenever available.
You can build your own strong passwords, but be authentic. It’s not always easy. Is there anything that comes up with at least 12 characters long, upper and lowercase letters, numbers, special symbols and not based on personal ones? It’s a tall order. And even if you could make something perfect, you still need to remember (and definitely should).
Let the password generator lift it heavily
This is an easier, faster, and straightforwardly clever route. Password generators create long, complex, and completely random passwords. This does not require guessing or mental exercise. These tools are designed to pump out passwords that check all boxes, making cracking much more difficult. If you want an easy and secure option, many password managers include a built-in password generator that follows best practices for maximum strength.
In any case, the key point is this: don’t settle for weak or recycled passwords. Whether you go DIY or use the tool, upgrading your password strength is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself online.
Illustration of online banking login on laptop (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
What is the best password manager?
Password security seems difficult to maintain manually. The good news is that your password manager will remove the hassle from it by generating, storing and automating powerful and unique passwords for you.
We recommend a password manager that is safe and user-friendly and includes features such as password health tools, data breach monitoring, and built-in password generators. Essentially, these are digitally safe designed to encrypt and store login credentials, passkeys, credit card details, personal information, and even sensitive files. It remembers everything for you, organize your credentials neatly and fills out the login form with just one click. Sign up for a new site and auto-save your password without any effort.
The best part? The password manager will end up reusing the password. Instead of relying on the tired old “Fluffy1990” for every account, we generate strong and unique passwords tailored to each site, increasing the security of both personal and professional life. So, with a password manager, you no longer have to ask yourself how secure your password is.
Get my details Find the best expert reviewed password managers of 2025 here.
Important takeouts in your cart
With data breaches becoming more and more common, it is clear that password security is not a “set and forget” task. It’s an ongoing process. By prioritizing strong passwords and managing them effectively using tools, you can significantly reduce risk and feel at ease online.
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