Passwords are a necessary evil, but how secure are they really? This article dives into the nitty-gritty details of password strength and what it takes for a hacker to crack your code. Spoiler alert: it might be less time than you think!
Key Points
- Passwords of only five characters can be cracked in just two hours by hackers.
- In contrast, an 18-character password with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols could take 463 quintillion years to crack.
- The article is based on research from Hive Systems, demonstrating the drastic effects of password length and complexity on security.
- Hackers often attack based on previously stolen passwords, using methods like dictionary and rainbow table attacks.
- If your password has been involved in a data breach, it can be compromised almost instantly, no matter its complexity.
Why should I read this?
If you care about your online security (and who doesn’t?), this article is a must-read! It breaks down the importance of creating strong passwords and gives you a stark warning about the speed at which they can be cracked. Protecting your personal information has never been more important, so why not get clued up now?