Be honest, is there still a password floating around your business that looks something like 12345 or password123? Or maybe a standard password with a different digit on the end?
If so, you’re far from alone. But that doesn’t make it safe.
Weak passwords remain one of the biggest security risks for businesses. Despite years of expert advice, these easy-to-guess credentials are still everywhere, and they’re exactly what cyber criminals hope to find.
Studies continue to show that passwords like 123456, password, and qwerty123 top the charts in popularity. These might be easy to remember, but they’re just as easy to crack, sometimes in less than a second.
And it’s not just large corporations making these mistakes. Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) often rely on poor password practices too. Unfortunately, when an attack hits an SME, the impact can be even more severe. With fewer resources and slower recovery times, the consequences can escalate quickly.
Still thinking, “We’re too small to be a target”? Think again. Cyber criminals are opportunists. They go after the easiest targets, and weak passwords are an open invitation.
Even passwords that seem more personal, like your name, email address, or phrases such as iloveyou, aren’t much better. They’re common and predictable, which makes them vulnerable.
So how can you protect your business?
Start with the basics:
Use strong passwords
These should be long and complex. Think about including a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Alternatively, maybe use use combinations of words like BlueCloudLorry but make sure to always avoid anything that could be guessed based on public or personal information.
Don’t rely on memory
Managing multiple secure passwords is tough. That’s why password managers are such a game-changer. They generate and store strong passwords for you and your team, securely.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
This simple extra step can prevent unauthorised access even if a password is compromised. It sends a second code to your phone or app when logging in.
Explore passkeys for even stronger protection
Passkeys are quickly gaining traction as a more secure alternative to traditional passwords. Using biometrics or trusted devices, they eliminate the risk of stolen or guessed credentials.
Your password strategy could be the difference between business as usual and a major breach.
If you’re still using weak or reused passwords, now’s the time to rethink your approach. Affinity can help you create a smarter, safer login strategy for your team. Let’s secure your business together.
