Numbers that should not be included in a password because criminals can easily guess them, according to artificial intelligence.
In an increasingly digital world, passwords have become the first line of defense for protecting users' personal and sensitive information. However, many people make the mistake of choosing passwords that are easy to remember, making them easy to hack. One of the main factors that facilitate cyberattacks is the use of numbers that are very common, predictable, or follow simple patterns.
Numbers that should not be included in the password
ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot developed by OpenAI, analyzed why certain numbers should be avoided when creating a strong password and how using them can compromise security.
Many users, due to convenience or a lack of security awareness, resort to numbers like "123456," "111111," or "12345" as part of their passwords. These are extremely common and, in fact, appear on many lists of the most hacked passwords. Attackers often use programs that test combinations of numbers that follow common patterns, meaning a simple sequence can be cracked in seconds.
According to cybersecurity experts, these sequences of numbers pose no challenge to modern hacking software, which is designed to perform brute force attacks, testing thousands or millions of combinations in a very short time.
When designing a strong password, it's essential to use a random combination of letters, symbols, and numbers, avoiding any predictable numbers. This is because the algorithms used in brute-force or dictionary attacks test not only common word combinations but also logical or recurring number sequences. For example, birth dates, such as "1990" or "2020," are also numbers to avoid, as attackers can easily guess them once they know the user's personal information.
A lack of diversity in your password significantly reduces its effectiveness. The simpler it is, the easier it is for cybercriminals to crack it using quick search algorithms. That's why experts suggest incorporating random numbers into your passwords, along with uppercase and lowercase letters and symbols, to make them more resistant to attacks.
Another factor to consider is the use of keyboard patterns, such as "qwerty" or "asdfgh," which are also easy to guess. While these aren't exact numbers, they follow a logical pattern that makes the job easier for attackers. Many users tend to create passwords containing combinations like "1qaz2wsx" or "123qwe," believing them to be more secure, but they are actually vulnerable to automated attack methods.
To improve password security, experts recommend using random password generators and password managers that can help create complex combinations without having to remember them all. It's also advisable to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible, which provides an additional layer of security and reduces the risk of unauthorized access.
With the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks, it's imperative that users take effective steps to protect their personal information through more complex passwords and strong security practices. Ignoring these principles can leave accounts vulnerable to hacking, compromising users' security and privacy in an increasingly technology-dependent environment.