Highlights

• The most used password globally and in India is ‘123456’.
• Easy-to-guess passwords like ‘123456789, ‘qwerty’, and ‘password are also popular.
• 78% of the world’s most common passwords can be cracked in less than a second.

Weak passwords are a common problem. There is a science to setting a strong password for online accounts but most internet users have never paid attention to it.

At least that’s what these password surveys tell us repeatedly.

A recent NordPass study has again highlighted the alarming trends of setting easily crackable passwords globally.

NordPass has unveiled its sixth annual Top 200 Most Common Passwords report revealing some startling patterns in how people choose their passwords worldwide including in India.

Here’s a detailed roundup of the report.

The most-used password globally and in India is the predictable “123456.”

Of the 3,018,050 people worldwide who opted for this insecure password, 76,981 are from India. The second most-used password globally, “123456789,” ranks fourth in India.

The study conducted with NordStellar highlights that nearly half of the world’s most common passwords consist of easy-to-guess combinations, such as “qwerty,” “1q2w3e4er5t,” and “123456789.” These patterns are just as prevalent in India.

A previous NordPass study found that the average internet user manages 168 personal account passwords and 87 work accounts.

With such a high volume, people often fall back on simple passwords, which are easy to remember but even easier to crack.

Security experts consistently warn against using passwords like “qwerty123,” a common favourite password in countries such as the Netherlands, Canada, Finland and Lithuania. Now this password has also entered the top 10 list in India.

Another popular yet insecure choice is the word “password” itself.

This classic has long featured on global password lists and is now the second most-used password in India. It also tops the list in Australia and the UK.

In India, some cultural personalisation adds variety to weak passwords such as “Indya123” instead of “India123.” Other common options include “admin” and “abcd1234.”

The report highlights an alarming statistic that 78% of the world’s most common passwords can be cracked in less than a second up from 70% last year.

The study found that nearly 40% of commonly used passwords overlap between personal and business accounts. Many employees continue using default passwords like “admin,” “temppass,” “newuser,” or “welcome,” set during account creation.

Moreover, many people reuse the same password for both personal and work accounts, which makes it easier for hackers to infiltrate sensitive systems.

List of 20 Most Common Passwords Used in India

Tips for Better Password Security

• Create strong passwords that are at least 20 characters long.
• Include a mix of numbers, letters, and symbols.
• Avoid reusing passwords across accounts.
• Enable multi-factor or two-factor authentication wherever possible.
• If remembering complex passwords feels overwhelming, consider using a free password manager.

FAQs

Q1. What is the most used password in India and globally?

Answer. The most-used password globally and in India is “123456.”

Q2. How quickly can the world’s most common passwords be cracked?

Answer. According to a recent report, 78% of the world’s most common passwords can be cracked in less than a second, up from 70% last year.

Q3. What are some common yet insecure passwords used in India?

Answer. In India, common yet insecure passwords include “123456789,” “qwerty,” “password,” “Indya123,” “admin,” and “abcd1234.”

Also Read: Google Says Sorry After Passwords Vanish for 15 Million Windows Users

Also Read: Dangers of Using Pop Culture Passwords: Why Strong, Unique Passwords Are Essential for Online Security

Also Read: Top Most Common Hacked Passwords List