Password Security: Can I Guess Your Password?

written by Sue Frantz | November 25, 2011

Qwerty? 123456? Ashley? Bailey? SplashData has released the list of the top 25 passwords culled from lists produced by hackers. Is yours on the list? Password security is the best thing you can do to protect yourself.

I use LastPass to store all my passwords – one password to rule them all. It runs in my browser and on my Xoom and Android phone. If I remember that password, I have access to them all. It will also generate passwords for me if I’d like.

Don’t want to use a password manager? Be sure to create strong passwords that you will remember for the different websites you visit. Some people suggest using your favorite lyrics and mixing things up a bit. But don’t choose something popular. Hackers know enough to try those. Glen Campbell was recently honored at the CMA Awards, so let’s take a look at how some of his lyrics might look as passwords

“Like a rhinestone cowboy”

1!keaRh!n35t0n3C0wb0y

L1k3ARh1n3st0n3C0wb0y

L1kearh1nest0nec0wb0y

l1k3a***-^-

(*** = rhinestones, -^- = cowboy hat)

“I am a lineman for the county”

1mal1n3man4th3c0unty

!mal!neman4the123y (123=count)

1ama_man4zcountE

(_ = line, z = the)

“Oh Galveston”

0Ga1v3s2000

(ton – 2000 lbs)

Develop a system that is unique to you, and use it.