Ensure that none of the 20 most frequently leaked passwords on the dark web are yours.

Your go-to password might be easier to guess than you think.

A recent report from mobile security firm Lookout reveals the 20 most common passwords found in leaked account information on the dark web, including simple number and letter sequences like "123456" and "Qwerty," as well as easily typed phrases like "Iloveyou."

Simple passwords are easy for hackers to guess, giving them access to your personal data and accounts.

The ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict may increase the number of cyberattacks worldwide, including targeting U.S. banks, which have expressed concern. Additionally, the U.S. experienced a record number of data breaches in 2021, with 1,862 incidents, a 68% increase from the previous year, according to a January report from the Identity Theft Resource Center.

On average, 80% of consumers have had their emails leaked onto the dark web, which is why Lookout, a cloud security app for mobile devices, warns that you could easily be among that majority without even realizing it.

The list of the 20 most commonly found passwords on the dark web, as compiled by Lookout, is a result of data breaches and can lead hackers directly to your passwords for other online accounts and identity theft.

1. 123456
2. 123456789
3. Qwerty
4. Password
5. 12345
6. 12345678
7. 111111
8. 1234567
9. 123123
10. Qwerty123
11. 1q2w3e
12. 1234567890
13. DEFAULT
14. 0
15. Abc123
16. 654321
17. 123321
18. Qwertyuiop
19. Iloveyou
20. 666666

It is advisable to change your passwords if you have used any of the commonly recommended ones. Experts suggest using longer passwords with uncommon characters, such as punctuation marks or symbols, to make them harder to guess.

To avoid making it easier for hackers to access multiple accounts, it's important to avoid reusing passwords.

To avoid using passwords that include personal information, it is important to avoid using birthdays, anniversaries, names of loved ones, and even hometowns.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology advises the U.S. Commerce Department to implement security tactics such as screening passwords against online lists of compromised passwords and using multifactor authentication.

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