'Password' is still the worst password, but watch out for 'ninja'

25.10.2012
Although the tech world is always changing, one thing remains the same: A lot of people use terrible passwords.

, a security software developer, released its annual list of the most common passwords on the Internet. Once again, "password," "123456," and "12345678" are the three most popular, in that order.

The list of most common passwords is based on file dumps from online hackers. Splashdata notes that 2012 saw several high-profile security breaches, including Yahoo, LinkedIn, eHarmony, and Last.fm. The company says it releases its annual list to raise awareness of bad passwords--and, just as likely, to promote its SplashID password management software.

In addition to the usual face-palm provokers such as "abc123'"and "qwerty," the list includes some returning oddballs: "monkey," "baseball" and "shadow." A few of the new entries are more unexpected: "jesus," "ninja," and "mustang" all made the top 25.

On a more encouraging note, "password1" cracked the top 25 this year, so perhaps people are learning that a combination of letters and numbers makes for a stronger password. (Now they just need to work on not picking the most obvious of each.)