PassGAN, a new generative AI tool developed by Home Security Heroes, was used to test the strength of passwords.
Home Security Heroes analyzed over 15 million passwords collected from around the world, found that passwords of less than six characters can be cracked instantly. In addition, passwords of less than 12 characters containing only numbers can be easily cracked. Even longer passwords that use common words or phrases are vulnerable to attack. With the AI-powered PassGAN app, attackers can crack over 51% of passwords in less than a minute.
Furthermore, the study revealed that almost 65% of passwords could be cracked in less than an hour, 71% in less than a day, and 81% in less than a month. PassGAN can even crack every 7-character password in less than 6 minutes, even if it contains special characters. These findings are alarming and emphasize the need for strong passwords that are difficult to crack.
According to Home Security Heroes, passwords longer than 18 characters are the most secure. A numeric password can be cracked in 10 months, while a password with special characters can take six quintillion years to crack. While 18-character passwords may seem like a lot to remember, it is important to use unique, complex passwords for each account to prevent a single password compromise from affecting multiple accounts.
Additionally, enabling two-factor authentication and regularly updating passwords can provide additional protection against cyber threats. Stay cautious and take steps to protect your online presence.
