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Top 10 most commonly used passwords in Canada (And why you should avoid them)

 

In today’s digital world, keeping our information secure is more important than ever. With the rise of online banking, shopping, social media, and even remote work, our online accounts are filled with sensitive data. Unfortunately, many people still rely on weak, easily guessed or brute-forced passwords that put their security at risk.

 

At CityWest, we take cybersecurity seriously, and we want to help you stay safe online. One of the easiest ways to protect yourself is by creating strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Yet many Canadians still use passwords that hackers can guess or brute force in seconds.

 

Here’s a look at the top 10 most commonly used passwords in Canada.

 

  1. 123456

    It might be quick and easy to type, but it’s also the first thing hackers try. This password is not only predictable but offers no real protection for your accounts. Most brute force programs will go through all the number combinations in milliseconds, making this password one of the easiest to crack.

    Less than 1 second

  2. Password/password

    Ironically, the word “password” itself has been a favourite for years. It’s simple, but it’s a hacker's dream because of how common it is. Most brute force programs will also try common passwords right after they finish going through numbers, making this take a millisecond longer than 123456

    Less than 1 second

  3. 123456789

    Although longer than “123456”, this password is just as weak. Many websites now require at least eight characters, but simply extending an obvious pattern doesn’t increase security.

    Less than 1 second

  4. 12345678

    Removing a digit from the 3rd most used password still doesn’t do much to protect your account. While longer than 123456, they must be complex and not follow easily guessable patterns.

    Less than 1 second

  5. Qwerty123

    This keyboard-based pattern with numbers might seem unique but is highly predictable and a common target for hackers.

    Less than 1 second

  6. Canad1en5

    This might seem like a secure option, with a mix of letters and numbers. It’s still too predictable, as many people create passwords related to their nationality, favourite sports team, family members, or pets. Hackers will investigate their targets to try and get as much information as possible to get into user’s accounts.

     1 Day

  7. hockey

    As a nation passionate about hockey, it’s no surprise to see this word on the list. However, cultural references like this are easy for hackers to guess.

    Less than 1 minute

  8. 123four56

    Even when mixing letters and numbers, if the pattern is easy to guess, the password is weak.

    Less than 1 second

  9. Admin

    Commonly used as the default login credentials for routers and other network-attached devices, “admin” or “Admin” is a favoured target for hackers. Failing to change it leaves your devices exposed to attacks.

    Less than 1 second

  10.  Welcome

    This friendly word is often used as a default password for new accounts, which makes it a prime target for hackers. It should always be changed to something stronger.

    Less than 1 second

 

Why you should avoid these passwords

Passwords like the ones listed above are incredibly common, which means hackers try them first when attempting to break into accounts. Using such weak passwords leaves your personal information, financial data, and online privacy at risk. Hackers use tools that can attempt thousands of password combinations per second. And simple choices like these make their job easier.

 

How to create strong passwords

  1. Use a mix of characters: Include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols to make a password harder to guess.

     

  2. Make it long: A password that is at least 12 characters long. The longer and more unique the password the longer it will take to crack.

     

  3. Avoid obvious choices: Don’t use sequences, common words, or easy-to-guess personal information like birthdates or names.

     

  4. Use unique passwords for each account: This ensures that if one account is compromised, the others remain secure.

     

  5. Consider a password manager: A password manager can generate and store complex passwords, making it easy for you to keep track of them without sacrificing security.

 

Passwords are only part of your online security.

At CityWest, we understand that passwords are just one part of the security puzzle when it comes to protecting your online life. That’s why we provide Protect IQ, a comprehensive home network security solution designed to stop threats before they reach your devices. Here’s how Protect IQ works to keep your network safe:

Viruses, malware and ransomware protection – Protect IQ actively scans for and blocks harmful viruses, malware, and ransomware to ensure your devices are safe.

Intrusion detection – Protect IQ prevents unauthorized devices from accessing your home network, stopping potential intrusions before they happen.

Untrusted websites – Our security services keep an updated list of malicious and untrusted websites, preventing you from clicking on dangerous links.

With Protect IQ you get peace of mind knowing that CityWest has your back when it comes to online safety.

Learn more about Protect IQ and HomeNet