Top 10 Password Mistakes Users Keep Making in 2025
In a time when cybersecurity is more important than ever, it’s surprising that millions of users still fall into the same password traps. Despite rising awareness, hacking incidents and data breaches continue to soar often due to simple mistakes we make when creating or managing our passwords.
A recent report on the most hacked passwords in 2025 by Paymentsave reveals that weak and common passwords like “123456” and “password” are still used by millions worldwide. Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 mistakes users are still making and how to avoid them.
1. Using Common Passwords
Despite ongoing warnings, millions of users still rely on easily guessable passwords like “123456,” “qwerty,” and “password.” These simplistic options are often the first combinations hackers try during brute-force or dictionary attacks. Using these makes your account an easy target and significantly increases the chances of unauthorized access. Many people choose them because they’re easy to remember, but the trade-off is not worth the risk. Cybersecurity reports consistently show these common passwords ranking at the top of the most breached lists, making it essential to create unique, complex, and unpredictable credentials for every account.
2. Reusing Passwords Across Multiple Accounts
One of the most dangerous yet common habits is reusing the same password across multiple platforms whether it’s for your email, banking, or social media accounts. If just one of these platforms experiences a data breach, every other account sharing the same password is immediately at risk. Hackers often use credentials from one breach to perform “credential stuffing” attacks on other websites. The smarter approach is to use a unique password for every account. Yes, it takes effort, but using a password manager can make this easier while significantly improving your security.
3. Ignoring Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds an essential layer of security to your accounts by requiring not just a password, but also a second verification step like a code sent to your phone or email. Despite its effectiveness, many users still ignore it or find it inconvenient. However, enabling 2FA can block more than 90% of automated attacks. Even if your password is compromised, hackers still won’t gain access without the second factor. With growing threats in 2025, enabling 2FA wherever possible is one of the simplest yet most powerful steps you can take to protect yourself online.
4. Storing Passwords in Plain Text
Keeping passwords in plain text whether in a notebook, a sticky note on your desk, or a notepad file on your computer poses a major security threat. If your device is lost, stolen, or hacked, these unprotected notes give intruders immediate access to your most sensitive information. Instead, consider using an encrypted password manager that stores your credentials securely. These tools protect your information with military-grade encryption and allow easy access through a master password or biometric verification. Avoiding plain-text storage of passwords is a fundamental step toward better digital hygiene and data security.
5. Using Personal Information
Passwords that include personal details such as your name, pet’s name, or date of birth are extremely easy to crack, especially for cybercriminals who gather personal data from social media or public records. With the rise of AI-based hacking tools, attackers can analyze your online presence and predict potential password combinations. Even something as innocent as sharing your child’s name online can lead to vulnerabilities. To stay secure, avoid using any publicly known or guessable information. Instead, mix random words, symbols, and numbers to create passwords that are hard to predict and impossible to link to your personal identity.
6. Using Short Passwords
Length matters when it comes to password strength. Short passwords typically under 8 characters can be cracked within seconds using modern password-cracking tools. A password like “admin123” may seem clever but offers minimal resistance against automated attacks. The best passwords are long and complex, ideally 12 characters or more, and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Even better, using passphrases like “BlueOcean!RunsDeep2025” can be both secure and easier to remember. In 2025, when hacking tools are faster than ever, longer passwords are no longer optional they’re essential.
7. Skipping Password Updates
Many users don’t change their passwords for years, especially if they’ve never experienced a hack. However, keeping the same credentials for too long leaves you vulnerable especially if those passwords were ever part of a past data breach. Cybercriminals often use breached data months or even years later. Regularly updating your passwords reduces the risk of long-term exposure. It’s a good habit to change your passwords every 3 to 6 months, particularly for accounts containing sensitive information like banking, work emails, and cloud storage. Staying proactive about password updates is a key defense against evolving cyber threats.
8. Falling for Phishing Emails
Even the strongest password offers little protection if you unknowingly hand it over to a hacker through a phishing attack. These fraudulent emails often mimic trusted brands and request that you log in to a fake website or provide sensitive information. Once entered, your credentials are captured and misused. In 2025, phishing tactics have grown more convincing with AI-generated messages and fake login pages that look identical to the real ones. Always verify email senders, hover over links before clicking, and never provide passwords via email. Awareness and caution are critical in defending against phishing-based password theft.
9. Avoiding Password Managers
Many people still avoid password managers because they fear putting all their information in one place but ironically, not using one often leads to weaker, reused, or forgotten passwords. A reliable password manager uses encryption to store and protect your credentials, generating strong, unique passwords for every site. It eliminates the need to memorize multiple passwords while improving your overall security. In 2025, using a password manager is not just for tech-savvy users it’s a necessity for anyone who wants to stay secure online. Most tools are affordable and offer browser extensions and mobile apps for convenience.
10. Trusting Autofill Too Much
Browser autofill features are undeniably convenient, but they come with significant risks especially if you share your device or fall victim to malware. Autofill can store and automatically enter sensitive data, including usernames and passwords, without you realizing it. If a malicious script or extension is present, it can exploit this data silently. While autofill isn’t inherently unsafe, it’s far better to use a password manager that requires verification before filling in sensitive details. To stay protected, consider disabling autofill for critical accounts and manually entering your password or using a secured method whenever possible.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity in 2025 isn’t just about firewalls and antivirus software it starts with strong, smart password habits. If you’re still using any of the passwords listed in the most hacked passwords report, it’s time to change them now.
