Missouri Residents Warned About Passwords Hackers Love

Missouri Residents Warned: Passwords You Should Never Use

With online scams and cybercrime on the rise, experts strongly recommend changing your passwords regularly. However, just as important as updating your passwords is avoiding certain ones altogether. Cybersecurity experts warn that many commonly used passwords are especially dangerous, and Missouri residents should take note.

Scammers Are Getting Smarter Every Day

Hackers are constantly finding new ways to break into online accounts, email inboxes, and personal profiles. Because so many websites require passwords, many people reuse the same one across multiple accounts. Unfortunately, this makes it much easier for scammers to access sensitive personal information.

Read also: Hannibal Named One of Missouri's Friendliest

Most Dangerous Passwords to Avoid

Using a unique password for each account is critical, but experts also say you should steer clear of common and predictable passwords. According to NordPass, these are some of the most dangerous passwords still widely used today:

• Secret
• 123456
• Password
• QWERTY123
• QWERTY1

The password 123456 alone has been used by more than 3 million people worldwide. While it may be easy to remember, it’s also one of the easiest passwords for hackers to crack.

How to Create a Strong Password

Cybersecurity experts recommend creating passwords that include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols

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Even small changes can improve security. Swapping an “a” for an “@” or an “i” for an “!” can make a password harder to guess and help protect your personal information from scammers.

Stay Safe Online

As scams continue to target Missouri residents, taking a few extra minutes to strengthen your passwords can go a long way toward protecting your identity and online accounts.