NordPass experts have named the most misfortunate passwords of Fortune 500 companies.
Researchers analyzed publicly available databases of compromised passwords that affected Fortune 500 companies. A total of 15,603,438 leaks were examined and segmented into 17 industries.
„Even the biggest players are struggling with password security.“
So, what did they find out:
- How often Fortune 500 companies‘ passwords were leaked.
- What percentage of unique passwords in a particular industry.
- What are the most popular passwords in the industry?
What they found out:
- 20% of the passwords were the exact name of the company or one variant of the name.
- „Vacation“ is one of the most popular passwords in the healthcare industry.
- In the hospitality industry, most passwords were for a company name or variant of it.
- „Password“ is one of the most popular passwords in all industries.
- HR had the highest percentage of unique passwords at 31%.
TOP 10 WEAKEST PASSWORDS BY INDUSTRY:
1) Retail and e-commerce (number of leaks – 1,345,578; unique passwords – 26%)
- password
- aaron431
- 123456
- unknown
- shumon
- Company name*
- abc123
- default
- ABC123
- Company name1*
2) Energy sector (1,176,450 passwords leaked; 28% of unique passwords)
- password
- 123456
- aaron431
- pa55word
- snowman
- 12345
- default
- Pa55word
- password1
3) Technology and IT (leaks – 2 742 591; unique passwords – 28%)
- password
- research
- 123456
- aaron431
- Company name76*
- Company name123*
- career121
- pass1
- password1
4) Healthcare (total number of leaks – 1,424,317; unique passwords – 26%)
- 123456
- password
- Company name*
- aaron431
- 12345
- company name2012*
- company name2014*
- pass1
- company name*
- Company name*
5) Finance (3 606 310 passwords, unique passwords – 25%)
- password
- aaron431
- 123456
- student
- default
- 13pass13
- Profit
- sunshine
- ready2go
6) Telecom (546,592 leaks; 20% of unique passwords)
- 123456
- password
- cheer!
- password1
- 12345678
- abc123
- unknown
- Company name1*
- Company name*
- 123456789
7)Automotive Industry (461,095 leaks; unique passwords – 28%)
- 123456
- password
- aaron431
- Company name2002*
- 12345
- 123456789
- default
- penispenis
- 1234
- Company name*
8) Construction and Manufacturing (1,298,703 leaks; unique passwords – 24%)
- Company name*
- password
- aaron431
- 123456
- Company name eu*
- 123ccp
- pass1
- company name*
- Company name*
- Company name*
9) Aerospace (485,120 passwords – 485,120 leaks; unique passwords – 28%)
- 123456
- password
- aaaaaa
- cheezy
- 112233
- tingwei1
- 123456789
- 111111
- aaron431
- Company name*
10) Transportation and Logistics (429,331 leaks; unique passwords – 28%)
- Company name*
- password
- 123456
- aaron431
- Company name01*
- Company name123*
- Xxx company name*
- Company name123*
- Company name1*
11) Consumer Goods (942,289 passwords – 942,289 leaks; unique passwords – 27%)
- marino
- passport
- password
- Argentina
- 123456
- aaron431
- dummies
- Company name*
- Chile
- pass1
12) Chemical industry (237,593 leaks; unique passwords – 30%)
- password
- moo123
- 123456
- aaron431
- 12345
- default
- Company name*
- pass1
- sunshine
13) Agriculture (105,919 leaks; unique passwords – 30%)
- password
- aaron431
- Company name*
- 123456
- ozzymandius
- default
- jakubiak
- company name*
- republic
- august
14) Media and Advertising (114,457 leaks; unique passwords – 27%)
- password
- aaron431
- myspace1
- jesus1
- Company name*
- unwantedx1
- 123456
- default
- password1
- 4eVer22
15) Hospitality (420,636 passwords – 420,636 leaks; unique passwords – 29%)
- password
- 123456
- Company name123 *
- Company name*
- Company name*
- Hello123
- Company name 1*
- Company name*
- company name*
- company name1*
16) Real Estate (162,455 passwords, unique passwords – 29%)
- password
- 123456
- simon
- Company name2012*
- aaron431
- twilight1
- Welcome1
- Company name*
- simon1
- Company name*
17) HR (104,002 leaks; 31% unique passwords)
- password
- Kenzie14
- Company name123*
- Company name1234*
- welcome1
- 123456
- Company name*
- scooter
- Password
* This password is a company name or a variant of it (e.g., company name 2002). Experts did not provide the exact name of the company.
Source: NordPass