Why "123456" Still Tops the Worst Password List and How to Protect Yourself
The 2020 NordPass survey reveals that simple numeric passwords like "123456" remain the most common weak passwords, highlighting new risky entries and offering practical advice for creating stronger, more secure credentials.
2020's "worst password" ranking released by NordPass shows that the simple numeric sequence "123456" remains the most common weak password.
The top five passwords are "123456", "123456789", "picture1", "password" and "12345678". Apart from "picture1", each of these can be cracked in less than a second, yet they are still widely used.
Since 2013, "123456" has continuously held the champion spot, with over 2.5 million users and 23 million successful cracks.
New entries this year include "picture1" (used by 370 k people, taking about three hours to crack) and "senha" (used by 167 k people, ranking tenth).
Historical weak‑password lists show little change: numeric sequences and the word "password" dominate, reflecting common habits among both Chinese and English‑speaking users.
To improve security, follow these guidelines:
Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special symbols; avoid birthdays or names.
Do not reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
Avoid dictionary words, adjacent keyboard patterns, or repeated characters.
Regularly update passwords, replacing easy ones like "123456" with more complex alternatives.
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