by Muyiwa Matuluko

Passwords are the gateway to the internet, that necessary annoyance we hate so much, but have to bear. Because seriously, no one wants to be the next victim of an embittered ex-lover.

But seriously, with the kind of lazy passwords making rounds around the internet, we are our biggest hinderance to a safer internet. Even wannabe hackers are having it a lot easier these days. Internet security firm, SplashData, released on Tuesday it’s annual list of the most popular passwords of 2014. I’ve personally lost count of how many facepalms I’ve had to do going through the list:

123456 and password – retain their top spot from last year. I mean, how lazy has humanity become that these 2 phrases continue to be the most popular passwords?

Another common password – iloveyou – saw less love in 2014 as it fell off the top list, from number 9 last year, to be replaced by trustno1. It appears there was probably less love to go round in 2014. Other top worst passwords include new entrants batman and 696969, joined by 12345678, monkey, qwerty and 16 others.

Are you guilty of using any of these passwords? Perhaps it’s time to review them. If you really cherish your online safety, that is.

Find out how to create unhackable, yet memorable passwords.

Muyiwa