Our entire lives are on our devices–it’s time that our passwords start reflecting that. Think of all the information that lives behind your screen. Banking information, addresses, secrets, private photographs, your work data, it’s most likely all there. You wouldn’t just hand these things over to any stranger on the street, but you also probably don’t make it very hard for that stranger on the street to access it if they happen to get their hands on your phone.
If your password includes your name or the name of a loved one, I’m talking to you. But if you think you’re in the clear because your code is the name of your favorite musician, fictional character, or sports team instead, I wouldn’t be so sure. These categories of words are extremely popular passwords, making them very easy to guess.
It turns out that 23 million people in the UK alone use the password “123456,” and that this password reigns as the most commonly used of all time. Honestly, what is the point of even having a password at all if you’re going to make it the same as everyone else? You’re basically asking to share your data with 23 million + others.
The reality is that there are a lot of people out there who are dying to get their hands on your phone, and all of the secrets that live inside of it. If you have anything worth hiding, consider spicing up your password.