Like the password 123456 (8) - Crossword Clue
Answer: INSECURE
Understanding Why Simple Passwords Are Insecure
- The answer to "Like the password 123456 (8)" is INSECURE. This crossword clue directly references one of the most commonly used and easily hackable passwords in existence.
- When a password is insecure, it lacks the complexity and strength needed to protect your accounts from unauthorized access, making it vulnerable to brute force attacks and dictionary hacks.
- Simple numeric sequences like 123456, along with passwords like "password" or "qwerty," consistently appear on lists of the world's most commonly used passwords.
- Cybersecurity experts universally classify these as insecure because hackers can crack them in seconds using automated tools.
- An insecure password typically shares several characteristics: it's short, uses predictable patterns, contains common words, or lacks variation in character types.
What Makes a Password Insecure?
- Predictable patterns represent the primary vulnerability in weak passwords.
- Sequential numbers (123456, 654321), repeated characters (111111, aaaaaa), keyboard patterns (qwerty, asdfgh), and common words (password, welcome) all fall into this category.
- These passwords offer virtually no protection because they're among the first combinations hackers test.
Essential Password Security Tips
- Never reuse passwords across accounts—each login should have a unique password to prevent cascading breaches if one service is compromised.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever available, adding a second verification layer beyond just your password for enhanced account protection.
- Change passwords immediately if you suspect a breach or if a service you use announces a security incident affecting user credentials.
- Avoid storing passwords in plain text documents, sticky notes, or unencrypted files where others might access them.
- Update passwords regularly for sensitive accounts like banking, email, and work systems, ideally every 3-6 months for high-security accounts.
- Test password strength using reputable online password checkers before committing to a new password for important accounts.
- Create unique answers for security questions rather than using truthful but easily researched information like your mother's maiden name or city of birth.
Like the password 123456 (8) - 7 Little Words - FAQs
Q: How long does it take to crack an insecure password like 123456?
Hackers can crack simple passwords like 123456 instantly—often in less than one second—using automated cracking tools that test common passwords first. These tools work through massive databases of previously breached passwords and common patterns.
Q: Is 8 characters long enough for a secure password?
While 8 characters meets many minimum requirements, cybersecurity experts now recommend at least 12-16 characters for optimal security. Longer passwords with complexity provide exponentially greater protection against modern cracking techniques.
Q: Can I make 123456 secure by adding symbols?
Simply adding symbols to weak base passwords (like 123456!) doesn't create adequate security. The underlying pattern remains predictable. Instead, create entirely new passwords using random character combinations or passphrases.
Q: What's the most commonly used insecure password?
"123456" consistently ranks as the most common password worldwide, followed closely by "password," "123456789," and "qwerty." Millions of users continue choosing these despite well-documented security risks.
