'123456' as the worst password of 2013

Online security firm Splash Data has released the Worst Passwords list for 2013, and the number sequence "123456" tops the list as the most common password among internet users. In the third place was the number 12345678, followed by "qwerty" and abc123.SplashData stated that a major security breach involving Adobe software had highlighted the weak passwords among users of such Adobe products as Photoshop. Stricture Consulting Group decrypted the leaked Adobe passwords and released an estimate that almost 2 million of the more than 130 million users affected by the breach appeared to be using "123456" as a password.Splash Data suggested that users should use a password application manager that organises and protects their passwords. Further, password should be of atleast eight characters or more and include mixed characters. The firm also suggests using passphrases with short words with spaces that are difficult to hack, but easy for the user to remember.

Cyber Experts at Trustwave's SpiderLabs has recently discovered more than 2 million stolen passwords for websites including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google and Yahoo. The data affected 326,000 Facebook accounts, 59,000 Yahoo accounts, 60,000 Google accounts and approximately 22,000 Twitter accounts. The report highlighted the need for stronger internet passwords for users.