We’ve all heard the warnings—strong passwords are essential in today’s digital world. Yet despite countless reminders from security experts, millions of people still rely on dangerously weak passwords to protect their accounts.
In an era where our personal data lives across dozens of platforms and cloud servers, maintaining good password hygiene is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s logging into a bank app, social network, or email account, using complex passwords and enabling two-factor authentication are critical steps in safeguarding your digital identity.
Sure, it can be frustrating to remember dozens of different logins. But the risk of using a common or repeated password is far greater than the inconvenience of resetting one. And to drive that point home, the team at Visual Capitalist has released a new infographic highlighting the most commonly used passwords based on research from NordPass.
Real Passwords From Real Breaches
This data isn’t hypothetical. NordPass analyzed over 2.5 terabytes of credential data exposed in real-world security breaches to compile this list. These are the actual passwords used by millions of people—many of which can be guessed in less than a second.
The infographic provides a sobering look at just how vulnerable many online users still are. Examples include variations of “123456”, “password”, “admin”, and other shockingly simple combinations that are still in use today.
A Needed Wake-Up Call
This list should serve as a reminder for everyone to revisit their password habits. If you see your own password on this list—or anything remotely similar—it’s time for a change. Consider switching to a password manager or using auto-generated credentials that are far more secure.
And if you haven’t already, turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. It’s one of the simplest and most effective tools to stop unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised.
View the Full Infographic
You can check out the full visual breakdown of the most commonly used passwords here, courtesy of Visual Capitalist and NordPass. It’s a useful resource to share with family, friends, and co-workers who might also need a reminder to improve their security practices.
