The RockYou2024 leak, which exposed almost 10 billion passwords in July of last year, might seem like old news, but its impact is still felt today.
It’s considered the largest password compilation ever released. With such a vast collection of breached credentials circulating, the risk of credential stuffing, identity theft and unauthorized access to online accounts and systems remains high. For anyone still reusing passwords, the dangers are real — and growing.
That’s why password security has never been more critical, and the big question remains, how secure is my password?
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Username and password on tablet (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Why does password strength matter?
Think of weak passwords as an open door for hackers. Recent reports show that many common passwords can be cracked in literally seconds. Simple or reused passwords are especially vulnerable to automated attacks, and once one account is breached, others are often quickly compromised.
If a company you’re signed up with experiences a data breach and your login info is leaked, attackers can try that same password on other platforms, potentially unlocking a lot more than just one account.
Strong passwords act as your first line of defense. They’re long, complex and unique, making it significantly harder for attackers to guess or force their way in. When every account has its own strong password, even if one gets leaked, the rest stay safe.
Think of it this way. A weak password is like using the same key for your house, car and office and leaving it under the doormat. A strong password? It’s like a unique, high-security key for every door in your digital life.
Illustration of username and password (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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What are the top 5 passwords to avoid?
The most commonly used and insecure passwords are:
- 123456
- 123456789
- 12345678
- password
- Qwerty123
These passwords are extremely easy to guess and should be avoided at all costs.
Illustration of password login on laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Password strength test: 7-point self-evaluation checklist
How secure is your password, really? It’s time to put it to the test. Grab a pen (or just keep a mental tally) and score yourself based on this 7-point password strength test. Each “yes” earns you a point. So, let’s see how your password holds up in today’s threat landscape.
1. Is your password at least 12 characters long?
Length is your first line of defense. Short passwords — think six or eight characters — can be cracked in minutes by modern hacking tools. At 12 characters or more, you’re making it exponentially harder for attacks to succeed.
2. Does it include a mix of upper and lowercase letters?
Mixing uppercase and lowercase letters strengthens your password by increasing complexity. For example, instead of using something like “t8g5k9w2,” use “T8g5K9w2” — same characters, just more variety. Mix it up.
3. Does it include numbers?
Adding numbers makes your password harder to crack. Instead of sticking to just letters — like “Trkplmsh” — try something like “Tr8k5Plm2sh.” Randomly placed numbers increase complexity and make your password much more secure.
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4. Does it include special characters?
Symbols like !, @, #, and $ add another layer of security. For example, a password like “T8g5K9w2” becomes even stronger as “T8g5#K9w2!.” Special characters increase complexity and help defend against attacks.
5. Is it unique (not reused across accounts)?
Reusing passwords is like handing hackers a master key. If one account gets breached, and you’ve reused that password elsewhere, you’re toast. One password, one purpose. No exceptions.
6. Does it avoid personal info like your birthdate?
Your name, birthday or “Fluffy1990” (your dog’s name and birth year) might feel clever, but they’re goldmines for attackers who can scrape social media or breached data. Keep it impersonal and unpredictable.
7. Have you changed it in the last 90 days?
Even good passwords can go stale. It’s a smart move to update them every 90 days, or sooner if a site you use has a security issue.
Illustration of password login on laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How did you score?
Now, let’s take a look at your score:
- 0-2 points: Uh-oh. Your passwords are waving a welcome flag to hackers. Time for a serious upgrade.
- 3-4 points: Not terrible, but you’re still vulnerable. Patch those weak spots pronto.
- 5-6 points: Solid effort! You’re close to fortress-level security — tweak a bit more.
- 7 points: Nailed it. Your password is strong and secure — just remember to keep it updated.
This quick password strength test isn’t just a quiz, it’s a good reminder. Even one weak spot could be all it takes for someone to break in. In a world full of data leaks, a strong, unique password is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself. So, what’s your score? Think it’s time to level up?
What should I do if my password strength is low?
If your score didn’t quite hit that seven out of seven mark, no worries. The good news? You’ve already taken the first step by identifying the weak spots. Now, you’ve got two options:
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Build a better password yourself
To keep your passwords secure, use ones that are at least 12 characters long with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid using personal information or common patterns. Always use a different password for each account, and enable two-factor authentication whenever it’s available.
While you can build a strong password on your own, let’s be real, it’s not always easy. Coming up with something that’s at least 12 characters long, includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, special symbols and isn’t based on anything personal? That’s a tall order. And even if you do manage to craft the perfect one, you’ve still got to remember it, especially if you’re using a different strong password for every account (which you absolutely should be).
Let a password generator do the heavy lifting
This is the easier, faster and frankly smarter route. A password generator creates long, complex, completely random passwords for you — no guesswork or mental gymnastics required. These tools are designed to pump out passwords that check all the boxes, making them far harder to crack. If you want an easy and secure option, many password managers include built-in password generators that follow best practices for maximum strength.
Either way, the key takeaway is this: Don’t settle for weak or recycled passwords. Whether you go DIY or use a tool, upgrading your password strength is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself online.
Illustration of online banking login on laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What is the best password manager?
Password security can seem like a tough thing to maintain manually. The good news is that password managers take the hassle out of it by generating, storing and autofilling strong, unique passwords for you.
We recommend a password manager that is secure, user-friendly and includes features like a password health tool, data breach monitoring and a built-in password generator to help you create strong, unique passwords. Essentially, they are a digital safe designed to encrypt and store your login credentials, passkeys, credit card details, personal information and even sensitive files. It remembers everything for you, organizes your credentials neatly and fills in login forms with a single click. When you sign up for a new site, it autosaves the password with no effort required.
The best part? A password manager puts an end to password reuse. Instead of leaning on that tired old “Fluffy1990” for every account, it generates strong, unique passwords tailored to each site, boosting security for both your personal and professional life. So, with a password manager, you’ll no longer have to ask yourself, how secure is my password?
Get more details about my best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 here.
Kurt’s key takeaways
With data breaches becoming increasingly common, it’s clear that password security isn’t a “set it and forget it” task. It’s an ongoing process. By prioritizing strong passwords and using tools to help you manage them effectively, you can significantly reduce your risk and enjoy greater peace of mind online.
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