Beyond 'password' and 'abc123': The Urgent Need for Stronger Authentication

At Wink, we’re ready to talk about one of the most widely used aspects of online security – passwords. We all know passwords are like the keys to our digital lives, supposedly protecting our sensitive information and ensuring our online safety. But guess what: while some passwords can be slightly more difficult to crack, others  are as predictable as the sun rising.

You see, a recent study¹  revealed the top ten most commonly used passwords in 2022, and let me tell you, a 5 year old could crack these in her sleep! These passwords are so widely used that they practically roll off the tongue of any cybercriminal worth their salt.

Now, I won’t spill all the beans just yet, but … let’s just say that these passwords are the equivalent of leaving your front door wide open. It’s like handing over the keys to your digital kingdom to hackers on a silver platter! 

But here’s the thing: while passwords were meant to protect us, they tend to make us more vulnerable with a false sense of security.. That’s why Wink believes in the power of strong, multifactor, biometric authentication that can resist even the swiftest hacking attempts. We encourage everyone to break away from the pack and embrace biometric authentication beyond opening your phone or laptop. After all, why settle for “password123” when you can use your face that is unique to you?

Let’s take a deep dive into the realm of password vulnerability as we uncover the top ten most frequently utilized passwords in the US, shedding light on the critical importance of multifactor biometric authentication. Shockingly, these passwords could be cracked in less than a second. Have you ever employed any of these passwords, or worse, are any of them currently securing your accounts?

1. guest 
2. 123456
3. password
4. 12345
5. a1b2c3
6. 123456789
7. Password1
8. 1234
9. abc123
10. 12345678