BellaOnline Forums Computers PC Advice 10 Most Common Passwords in UK

While I was looking for information on passwords for another thread the other day, I found this article on common passwords in the UK.

Here are the 10 most-used passwords in the UK (according to the post):

1. 123
2. password
3. liverpool
4. letmein
5. 123456
6. qwerty
7. charlie
8. monkey
9. arsenal
10. thomas

...It's probably best to avoid these no matter where you live.

Not only is it important not to use the most common passwords there are other considerations to keep in mind when creating/managing passwords:

• Don't use your name, birth date, phone number or address.
• Never use your social security number.
• Use a combination of letters, numbers and lower/upper case characters.
• Change passwords frequently.
• NEVER give it to anyone else.
• When using an ATM block the view of the PIN keypad while entering PIN - many thieves look over you shoulder (and some spy from a distance) to get a PIN.
• Clear the cache and cookies on your computer frequently. Many sites store personal information in cookies to make access to the site easier in the future by "remembering" you credentials.
• Use different passwords for different sites and bank cards. This way if one password stolen only one account can be accessed.
  

How to Remove Cookies and TMP Files

I found this article on how to make good passwords:
GeodSoft

This site plus the information above really opened my eyes -- I'm going to start changing my passwords!

Another tip, which is how passwords are usually determined - don't write your password on a "sticky" and stick to monitor or keyboard. Same goes for writing ATM PIN number and leaving in purse or wallet.

Also, any paperwork/mail you throw away that displays personal information should be shredded. Many passwords are determined by sifting through the trash and using the information found.