AI-driven cracking tools expose weaknesses in modern password practices. (Image source: 123RF) More than 50% of leaked passwords end with a number, and the “@” symbol appears in 10% of cases, according to Kaspersky research. This highlights persistent weaknesses and predictability in user password behaviour, particularly as AI is increasingly being used by hackers to…
Julien Berteraut Poor and compromised passwords remain a leading cause of cyber incidents worldwide, yet many organisations have not yet mastered the science of mitigating this risk. From weak and re-used credentials to compliance hurdles and endless help desk resets, poor password hygiene continues to leave organisations exposed to costly breaches, downtime and reputational damage….
South Africans have spoken – and what they’ve said is deeply disappointing for anyone who cares about cybersecurity. Yes, “admin” is officially the most common password in South Africa in 2025, according to NordPass’s annual Top 200 Most Common Passwords report. It knocks off previous heavyweight champion “123456”, which slips to a still-embarrassing second place….
Researchers have observed a significant increase in the use of special characters in passwords. This year, “admin” is the most common password in South Africa, replacing last year’s top choice of “123456”. Additionally, “admin” made the biggest leap, climbing from 20th place in South Africa last year. This is according to NordPass, together with NordStellar,…
Passwords are the keys to our digital lives – think how many times you log in to websites and other systems. But just like physical keys, they can be lost, duplicated and stolen. Many alternatives have been proposed in recent years, including passkeys. These offer a significant improvement in terms of user friendliness and potential…
In an age of AI-powered threats and zero-trust frameworks, it’s remarkable how often the breach begins with something as basic (and preventable) as a bad password. Despite major advancements in cybersecurity technology, human error remains the single biggest risk. And at the heart of that risk? Weak, reused or easily guessed passwords. We have all…
