Pop Culture Passwords Most Likely to Get You Hacked, New Study

Is your password “Superman” or “Blink-182”? Millions are using these pop-culture favorites, making them easy targets for hackers. Discover the most common leaked passwords in 2024 and learn how to create a super-secure one to protect your data.

When it comes to online security and privacy, passwords play a vital role in protecting our data and identities. However, with an ever-growing number of accounts to manage, it’s natural to resort to names of our favorite superheroes, actors, and sportsmen to avoid password fatigue.

A recent study by Mailsuite (formerly Mailtrack), shared with Hackread.com, highlights the downsides of using pop culture references as passwords.

Researchers compiled a list of over 2,600 pop culture terms, including Superman, Blink-182, Eminem, and Hello Kitty, and their over 60,000 variations to identify the most hackable ones in 2024, based on their frequency in known data breaches and cross-references against the Pwned Passwords database. The results are enough to send shockwaves across the cybersecurity industry.

****Here are the findings:****

“Superman” was declared the reigning champion of terrible passwords, having been compromised in a staggering 584,697 data breaches, challenging the myth that using fictional heroes’ names is safe.

The name “Eminem” was the most vulnerable music-related password, appearing in over 286,000 breaches and taking “mere seconds” to crack. Rapper 50 Cent’s name is the second most dangerous password, with 267,691 appearances in data breaches. Shakira comes in third with 57,848 appearances.

“Blink-182” and “Metallica” are the most dangerous passwords among rock bands, with 482,244 and 264,913 appearances respectively.

Actors “Zac Efron” and “Brad Pitt” are the most dangerous passwords in 2024, appearing in 24,268 and 18,152 data breaches respectively. “Batman” and “Star Wars” are among the worst media franchise passwords, with Batman having the most data breaches (352,422) and Star Wars (323,546).

Games like “Minecraft,” “Left 4 Dead,” and “Pokémon” are common targets, with Minecraft topping the list by appearing in 215,934 data breaches. Pokémon, Mario, and Mega Man are the most dangerous characters to use as passwords.

The “New York Yankees” is the most dangerous sports-themed password, with the team appearing in 170,241 data breaches followed by the “Boston Red Sox.” The most dangerous athletes’ names for passwords include wrestler John Cena and golfer Tiger Woods, with 78,156 and 14,584 appearances, respectively.

To create a super-secure password, consider mixing upper and lowercase letters with numbers and symbols to enhance complexity. Aim for a length between 12-15 characters to increase security.

Additionally, opt for random combinations, avoiding easily guessable details like birthdates and names. Additionally, it’s crucial to avoid reusing passwords across different accounts to minimize the risk of data breaches.

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