For the First Time, "Password" is a Slightly Better Password than "123456"

To those of you who are using "password" to secure an account, you can rest slightly easier at night knowing that it longer tops the list of worst passwords. Two-time runner up "123456" has taken the dishonor of being the most common used password found on the Internet, giving the six-character combination the distinction of being the worst combination you can choose to lock down an account.

According to security firm SplashData, this is the first time "password" has lost its title as worst of the worst. It didn't fall far, however, sliding down a single spot to No. 2 on SplashData's list of the 25 worst passwords of 2013. Previously "123456" held the second spot.


SplashData says its most recent list was influenced by the large number of passwords from Adobe users that were posted online as a result of a security breach.

"Seeing passwords like 'adobe123' and 'photoshop' on the list offers a good reminder not to base your password on the name of the website or application you are accessing," says Morgan Slain, CEO of SplashData. "Another interesting aspect of this year's list is that more short numerical passwords showed up even though websites are starting to enforce stronger password policies."

Here are the top 25 worst passwords:

1. 123456
2. password
3. 12345678
4. qwerty
5. abc123
6. 123456789
7. 111111
8. 12345467
9. iloveyou
10. adobe123
11. 123123
12. admin
13. 1234567890
14. letmein
15. photoshop
16. 1234
17. monkey
18. shadow
19. sunshine
20. 12345
21. password1
22. princess
23. azerty
24. trustno1
25. 000000

SplashData compiled its list from files containing millions of stolen passwords posted online during the previous year. If you're using one of the above listed passwords and it's for an account you actually care about keeping secure, now would be a good time to change it.