If you're not using strong, random passwords, your accounts might be more vulnerable than you think. A recent study by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky shows that a lot of passwords can be cracked in less than an hour due to advancements in computer processing power.
Kaspersky's research team used a massive database of 193 million passwords from the dark web. These passwords were hashed and salted, meaning they were somewhat protected, but still needed to be guessed. Using a powerful Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, the researchers tested how quickly different algorithms could crack these passwords.
The results are alarming: simple eight-character passwords, made up of same-case letters and digits, could be cracked in as little as 17 seconds. Overall, they managed to crack 59% of the passwords in the database within an hour.
The team tried several methods, including the popular brute force attack, which attempts every possible combination of characters. While brute force is less effective for longer and more complex passwords, it still easily cracked many short, simple ones. They improved on brute force by incorporating common character patterns, words, names, dates, and sequences.
With the best algorithm, they guessed 45% of passwords in under a minute, 59% within an hour, and 73% within a month. Only 23% of passwords would take longer than a year to crack.
To protect your accounts, Kaspersky recommends using random, computer-generated passwords and avoiding obvious choices like words, names, or dates. They also suggest checking if your passwords have been compromised on sites like HaveIBeenPwned? and using unique passwords for different websites.
This research serves as a reminder of the importance of strong passwords in today's digital world. By taking these steps, you can significantly improve your online security and keep your accounts safe from hackers.
How to Protect Your Passwords
The importance of strong, secure passwords cannot be overstated. As the Kaspersky study shows, many common passwords are easily cracked with modern technology. Here are some tips to better protect your online accounts:
1. Use Random, Computer-Generated Passwords: These are much harder for hackers to guess because they don't follow predictable patterns.
2. Avoid Using Common Words and Names: Hackers often use dictionaries of common words and names to guess passwords.
3. Check for Compromised Passwords: Websites like HaveIBeenPwned? can tell you if your passwords have been leaked in a data breach.
4. Use Unique Passwords for Each Account: If one account gets hacked, unique passwords ensure that your other accounts remain secure.
Following these tips can help you stay ahead of hackers and protect your personal information. With the increasing power of modern computers, taking password security seriously is more important than ever.
