Some of the dumbest passwords to use are …

Today’s newsletter comes to us through Kim Komando and is braught to you by the dumbest passwords we should be using today.

When you see the list of dumbest passwords, are you using these passwords? I am not using any of those and have never thought to use these.

Did you know that 75 percent of people don’t follow best practices and 84 percent of us reuse passwords?

Yes, I’m no different, although I’ve definitely changed my habits. According to the recent study, some of the most cracked passwords are: 111111, 12345, 123456, 12345678, 123456789, 1234567890, Qwerty123, 1q2w3e, and Q2w3e4r5t. Kim goes on to indicate that popular names, sports teams, destinations for vacations and seasons should not be used either. Eva, Alex, Anna, Max, Ava, Ella, Leo, Suns, Heat, Liverpool, Rome, Lima, Friday, Summer, and Winter are examples given.

By the way, those of us like Kim Komando, Leo Laporte and I will kick you one if you use password as your password.

Pass Phraises or a password manager will be a better bet. Here’s what’s recommended.

• Use a password manager so you won’t have to remember complex logins. There are a ton of options, including TotalPassword (just $19 using my link.), Bitwarden and 1Password.
• Use the free password managers built into your web browser. A standalone password manager is more secure, though.
• If you create a password the old-fashioned way, the longer, the better — combining letters (upper and lower case), numbers and symbols.
• Never keep your passwords stored in a visible or easily accessed place. Talking to you with the Post-it note. Barry uses this $5.99 book to write down his passwords, but he locks the book away.

Please find the best manager for you. Using the browser is better than nothing, although I don’t think it can generate passwords for you like a manager is.

The JRN is having Bit Warden tested for accessibility and will report back when that’s done.

To read Kim’s full column: please read The dumbest passwords you can use to secure your accounts and get educated today!