Thirty-seven seconds—all it takes a seasoned hacker to brute force their way through some of the most commonly used passwords. This is assuming that you have set your password to 8 characters. If you’re one of those who still uses an old, shorter password, it takes them even less.
Recent findings from IT firm Hive Systems shed light on the significance of password length and complexity in thwarting hacking attempts. According to their latest research, a primary eight-character password has no chance against brute force attacks by hackers and can be cracked in under 37 seconds.
However, the solution to this is also straightforward—increase the length of the password by doubling it to 16 characters. By doing this, you are extending the time it takes the hacker to break through to over a century.
This stark contrast highlights the pivotal role that the length of your password plays in your digital security.
The 2024 edition of Hive Systems’ password table, a staple in the cybersecurity community, shows the time required to crack passwords using state-of-the-art, consumer-accessible hardware. Notably, this table is meticulously updated annually to show the advancements made in password encryption technology.
While many websites currently mandate passwords with a minimum of eight characters, cybersecurity experts advocate shifting towards more prolonged, more intricate passwords. An extended password expands the pool of potential combinations and is a massive barrier against malicious attempts.
Diving deeper into the intricacies of password security, Hive Systems also highlights how great value can be placed on randomness in setting up a password.
Passwords generated from predictable patterns or commonly used phrases are easy to crack. Thus, users need to use randomly generated passwords, which is a prudent strategy to offset any potential security risks.
These findings highlight the urgent need for better safety online. Websites like “How Secure Is My Password?” help people check how strong their passwords are and suggest changes if needed. Password managers are another helpful tool. They keep passwords safe and organized, so you don’t have to remember them all.
But it’s not just about making passwords more complicated. Adding extra security steps, like two-factor authentication, can make it even harder for hackers to get in.
Instead of constantly changing your password, experts suggest making it solid and unique. This means creating passwords that are hard to guess and changing them immediately if there’s any sign they’ve been compromised.
As technology advances, we need to stay ahead in protecting our online accounts. By ensuring our passwords are long, complex, and unique, we can keep our personal information safe from cyber threats.
