The Wealthiest Companies with the Weakest Passwords
- Do large companies have unbeatable password habits? Think again. NordPass has compiled a list of passwords used by the world's largest companies across 20 industries and 31 countries to “secure” their business accounts. Spoiler alert: they're terrible. Don't believe us? See for yourself but please, don't get inspired.
- Main countries represented in the research
Explore the most commonly used passwords across multiple industries
Explore the most commonly used passwords across multiple industries
32% of passwords contain a direct reference to the company (i.e., the name or its variation).
“Dummies” was among the most common passwords in the consumer goods industry.
The world's most common passwords – “password” and “123456” – are trending across industries.
The passwords “vacation” and “ready2go” are among the top picks in the financial sector.
The names of people and countries are often used as passwords.
“Snowman” seems to be a heartwarmingly popular password for energy sector employees.
Methodology
The poor passwords list was compiled in partnership with a third-party company specializing in cybersecurity incidents’ research. Researchers analyzed data that affected the world’s 500 largest companies by their market capitalization. The analyzed data was categorized into 20 different industries. The researchers looked into the top 20 passwords used in each industry.
What types of passwords do companies use?
Common sources of inspiration for companies’ poor passwords
- Typical weak passwords (i.e., simple combinations of letters or numbers, names, dictionary words, etc.).
- Passwords referencing a specific company.
- The full company name.
- The company’s email domain.
- Part of the company’s name.
- The company name’s abbreviation.
- The company product’s name.
- The owned company’s name.
Implement measures to secure digital entry points to your business with NordPass.
Keep your passwords safe
The workplace is all too often plagued by cybersecurity breaches, and one of the main culprits is poor password management. Despite the widespread recognition that weak and reused passwords are a major contributing factor, businesses of every size continue to neglect their password “hygiene.” It's time for companies to prioritize this crucial aspect of their digital security and take proactive measures to protect themselves from potential cyberattacks.
Maximize your security: Tips to keep your accounts safe
Boost password strength
When it comes to online security, every character counts. Make sure your password consists of at least 20 characters, combining upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) or single sign-on
MFA provides an additional layer of security since it requires a user to confirm their identity via additional verification methods, such as text message, phone call, biometric data, or physical security keys. Single sign-on is also beneficial as it helps reduce the number of passwords employees are expected to manage.
Effectively manage access privileges
In today's interconnected world, multiple employees often have access to a company's online accounts. Protect your business from potential unauthorized access risks by implementing secure password sharing policies and promptly revoking access for departing team members.
Deploy a password manager
Password managers are the ultimate solution to the password problem. With end-to-end encryption, you can store passwords securely and share them within your organization without any concerns. The tool also allows you to manage corporate accounts efficiently, including changing passwords, monitoring their strength, and controlling access.
Get in touch
If you are interested in receiving additional information regarding this research, please contact us at [email protected] and we will get back to you shortly.