How Strong is Your Password?
How long it would take a hacker to brute force your password in 2023
Cyber security company Hive Systems offers services that help harden online security. Each year they release a table of password vulnerability - a technical look at how long it would take a hacker to brute force their way into one of your accounts, depending on the length and complexity of your password.
Their data is based on how long it would take a consumer-budget hacker to crack your password hash using a desktop computer with a top-tier graphics card, and then how long an organised-crime-budget hacker would take to do the same, leveraging cloud compute resources. This year they updated their cracking hardware to the latest and greatest - including ChatGPT.
So, how strong are your passwords? If you’re in the red, follow our tips below for setting new strong and secure passwords.
Key outtakes
Passwords only using numbers are the easiest to hack and accounts can be compromised within a week.
Passwords that have fewer than 7 characters are like having no password at all, when facing a hacker.
The shorter the password, the easier it is guessed. We recommend using a password or passphrase of at least 16 characters.
Check out the full methodology behind the table here.
Source: Hive Systems
Creating a strong and secure password
1. Make it unique
Use a different password for each of your online accounts. That way, if an attacker gets hold of one of your passwords, they won’t get access to all your other accounts.
2. Make it long and strong
Passphrases are the most effective way to create secure passwords which are easy to remember, but hard to crack.
Use unrelated and obscure words, and unusual spellings.
Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbol.s
Pick quirky words related to memorable things, like sports, hobbies, food, clothing, songs, etc.
3. Don’t use personal information
Personal details (like your pet’s name or your partner’s birthdate) are easy for hackers to find online, especially through social media. Avoid using personal info as your password - it makes your accounts easy to hack.
Want to test how secure your passwords are?
Visit the Password Strength Checker at security.org/how-secure-is-my-password
