Defending your on-line accounts begins with utilizing robust, distinctive passwords. In Singapore, the place digital connectivity is a cornerstone of day by day life, the dangers of weak passwords are particularly regarding. Alarming statistics from world knowledge breaches—exposing 170 million accounts and revealing widespread, predictable passwords—spotlight what number of nonetheless underestimate this vulnerability.
With private data more and more in danger, counting on easy-to-guess passwords is like leaving your entrance door vast open. To safeguard your digital identification in Singapore’s extremely linked setting, adopting safe and distinctive passwords is extra important than ever.
In response to this, our newest examine analyzed probably the most generally hacked passwords in Singapore, how typically these steadily used passwords have appeared in knowledge breaches. We additionally present helpful steerage on which sorts of language to keep away from in your passwords to assist hold your accounts safe.
As a supplier of on-line English lessons and customized tuition, we’re deeply engaged with the nuances of languages and their use in each digital and real-world settings.
For instance, incorporating a mixture of characters and phrases from varied languages can strengthen your passwords whereas reinforcing your language abilities. This method not solely enhances your studying journey but in addition provides an additional layer of safety on your on-line accounts, significantly in a globally linked setting like Singapore.
Key findings
- “123456” is probably the most generally hacked password in Singapore, present in 42.5 million knowledge breaches
- The password “password” was seen in 10.4 million knowledge breaches
- 96% of probably the most generally hacked passwords in Singapore are below 12 characters
The 20 mostly hacked passwords in Singapore
We’ve ranked Singapore’s prime 50 commonest passwords in line with what number of instances they’ve appeared in an information breach to disclose probably the most generally hacked passwords, utilizing a country-based seedlist of the preferred passwords there.
Rank |
Password |
Time it took to crack it |
No. of instances password has appeared in an information breach |
1 |
123456 |
< 1 second |
42,542,807 |
2 |
123456789 |
< 1 second |
18,342,735 |
3 |
qwerty |
< 1 second |
10,713,794 |
4 |
password |
< 1 second |
10,434,004 |
5 |
12345678 |
< 1 second |
6,921,444 |
6 |
111111 |
< 1 second |
5,070,941 |
7 |
1234567 |
1 second |
4,351,342 |
8 |
1234567890 |
3 seconds |
4,138,462 |
9 |
abc123 |
1 second |
4,034,851 |
10 |
123123 |
1 second |
3,897,129 |
11 |
12345 |
< 1 second |
3,508,324 |
12 |
password1 |
19 seconds |
3,339,722 |
13 |
000000 |
4 seconds |
3,166,772 |
14 |
1234 |
< 1 second |
2,633,239 |
15 |
iloveyou |
5 seconds |
2,358,958 |
16 |
qwertyuiop |
2 seconds |
2,119,106 |
17 |
123321 |
2 seconds |
1,754,275 |
18 |
654321 |
< 1 second |
1,742,478 |
19 |
666666 |
2 seconds |
1,574,435 |
20 |
123456a |
6 hours |
1,495,008 |
Coming in on the prime of the checklist is “123456.” It takes lower than a second to crack this password, which has appeared in a staggering 42.5 million knowledge breaches. Regardless of being one of many easiest mixtures, its sheer reputation makes it a chief goal for hackers.
One other simple selection is “123456789,” which additionally takes lower than a second to crack. This password has been compromised 18.3 million instances, proving that longer numeric sequences don’t essentially provide higher safety.
The third commonest hacked password is “qwerty.” Much like different predictable decisions, it may be cracked in below a second and has appeared in 10.7 million knowledge breaches. It’s a handy association of letters however removed from safe.
Maybe predictably, “password” ranks fourth on the checklist. Cracked in lower than a second and seen 10.4 million instances in knowledge breaches, this time period highlights a important flaw in password choice—utilizing widespread phrases is an open invitation for cybercriminals.
96% of probably the most generally hacked passwords in Singapore are below 10 characters
In Singapore, 96% of probably the most generally hacked passwords are below 10 characters, emphasizing the widespread use of quick and simply cracked mixtures. To fight this, many platforms implement strict password guidelines, requiring customers to create longer, extra complicated passwords. For example, Apple mandates a minimal of eight characters, together with each uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers, to boost account safety.
Brief passwords typically comply with predictable patterns, corresponding to sequences like “123456” or keyboard layouts like “qwerty,” making them straightforward targets for hackers. These widespread decisions constantly seem among the many most breached passwords, underscoring the necessity for stronger safety practices.
The complexity and size of a password play a vital function in stopping unauthorized entry. By utilizing a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and particular symbols, you may tremendously improve its safety. Longer, extra detailed passwords are far more difficult for hackers to decode, making them an important software for safeguarding your accounts.
Associated: Most hacked passwords within the UK
High suggestions for creating a powerful and safe password
A powerful and safe password is your first line of protection towards hackers. Comply with these efficient methods to craft a password that not solely protects your accounts however can be straightforward to recollect. By utilizing the following tips, you may cut back the possibilities of falling sufferer to knowledge breaches and hold your private data safe.
Create a novel and unpredictable password
Avoid utilizing single, widespread phrases in your passwords, as they’re among the many first issues hackers strive. As a substitute, go for a mix of random, unconnected phrases that haven’t any clear sequence or sample.
To spice up safety, combine numbers, particular characters, or surprising capitalization all through your password. Keep away from utilizing recognizable keyboard patterns, fashionable phrases, or private data, as these make it simpler for hackers to crack your password.
Incorporate a number of languages
Utilizing phrases from completely different languages or dialects could be a good technique to create an unpredictable password, including complexity and making it far more durable for hackers to crack. For instance, you would pair an English phrase with one from one other language you communicate or discover significant. Add surprising symbols, numbers, or random capitalization between or throughout the phrases to create a fair stronger password.
Prioritise size and selection
With our examine displaying that 96% of probably the most hacked passwords in Singapore are below 10 characters, utilizing longer passwords is essential for safety. Longer passwords require considerably extra effort to crack, particularly after they embrace a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Purpose for not less than 10 characters to maximise safety, and keep in mind that each further character makes your password exponentially more durable to interrupt.
Will utilizing characters from completely different languages make your password safer?
If you’re taking Chinese language tuition, you would possibly wish to apply your learnings and create a password that features characters particular to the language you’re studying, as an example, phrases that you’re studying in your Chinese language classes, however would it not be safer?
Language Professional, Yolanda Del Peso says: “Utilizing characters from completely different languages in your password can improve the extent of safety by bettering each complexity and uniqueness. If you add non-Latin characters—corresponding to Cyrillic, Greek, or Chinese language symbols—you introduce parts which might be much less widespread in typical password-cracking algorithms, making it more durable for hackers to foretell or brute-force.
Password-cracking instruments typically depend on widespread phrase lists and dictionaries throughout fashionable languages, however they’re much less efficient when dealing with a password with unfamiliar characters and scripts. Nonetheless, it’s essential to make sure your characters are appropriate, as not all programs and gadgets assist each character kind.”
We’ve additionally teamed up with Tom Holloway, head of cybersecurity at IT supplier Redcentric. To the query ‘Will utilizing characters from completely different languages make your password safer”, he feedback: “In some respects sure, as you’re growing the complexity of the password,” says Tom. “Nonetheless that’s not essentially the case if the phrases and characters you’re utilizing are simply guessed, or cracked in a international dictionary assault.”
“One of the vital safe methods is to make use of a password supervisor, as described above. The choice, as beneficial by the UK’s Nationwide Cyber Safety Centre (NCSC) is three random phrases. The longer and extra random these phrases are, the safer the password will probably be.”
Methodology
Beginning with an inventory of the highest 50 commonest passwords in Singapore from SOCRadar, we used haveibeenpwned.com to find out what number of instances every password has been seen in an information breach. We additionally used csa.gov.sg to learn the way lengthy every password would take to “crack”.