2024 Breached Password Report: Key Trends and Security Insights

Published on 13 Nov 2024

The 2024 Breached Password Report provides an in-depth look at the evolving risks associated with weak and compromised passwords. Despite increased awareness and training, passwords remain a significant vulnerability in cybersecurity frameworks. This report dives into critical findings from recent research, offering insights to enhance password policies and minimize exposure to breaches.

Introduction: The Ongoing Password Problem

The importance of password security cannot be overstated, yet weak passwords continue to create security loopholes. With 44.7% of data breaches involving stolen credentials, the report examines why passwords are still a preferred entry point for cybercriminals. Even though 88% of organizations rely primarily on passwords for user authentication, a mere 12% have successfully implemented alternatives. As passwords aren’t going away anytime soon, the focus is shifting toward making them more secure.

Weak Password Patterns: How Cybercriminals Exploit Them

A significant finding of the report highlights common weak passwords like “123456” and “admin” that are still widely used across various sectors. Hackers exploit predictable patterns through dictionary and brute-force attacks, making easy-to-guess passwords a major target. Keyboard sequences, such as “qwerty,” also remain prevalent, emphasizing the need for policies that block predictable patterns.

Three primary attack types—dictionary, brute-force, and mask attacks—are described in detail. Each method reveals how attackers can quickly crack weak passwords, especially when employees use easy-to-guess phrases or personal information. Even minor changes, like adding a number to a weak password base (e.g., “password1”), fail to provide adequate security.

Are Long Passwords Safer?

Length alone doesn’t guarantee safety. While long passwords are harder to crack via brute-force methods, they are often reused across platforms, making them vulnerable. Data shows that passwords over 16 characters are still frequently compromised. In one analysis, 31.1 million breached passwords were longer than 16 characters, underscoring the risks of reuse and the necessity for unique, complex passwords across different applications.

The Role of Compromised Passwords

The report emphasizes that even strong passwords, once compromised, pose a significant threat. Only half of surveyed organizations scan for compromised passwords more than once a month. Outpost24’s KrakenLabs research highlights that common passwords like “admin” and “password” are still prevalent among cloud applications, posing significant security risks in hybrid environments where password reuse is rampant.

How to Strengthen Password Security

The report concludes with practical steps for organizations to adopt a robust password policy. Specops Password Auditor, a tool for identifying compromised and weak passwords in Active Directory, is highlighted as a first step toward better password hygiene. Continuous scanning for breached passwords and implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) can mitigate risks associated with password reuse and compromise.

Make 2024 the Year of Strong Passwords This report calls on organizations to implement strict password policies, block predictable patterns, and regularly scan for compromised credentials. With actionable insights and tools, the 2024 Breached Password Report empowers organizations to reinforce their password security strategy.

Download Now to explore the full report and strengthen your organization’s defenses against password-related vulnerabilities.