Password security helps prevent unauthorized access, while weak or reused credentials can expose accounts, systems, and sensitive data.
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Background for this topic.
Passwords are secret strings used to verify identity and control access to accounts, devices, applications, and services. They remain a common authentication method, but their security depends mainly on secrecy, length, and uniqueness rather than predictable complexity rules. A password reused across services can expose multiple accounts if one service is compromised; short, common, or previously leaked passwords are more susceptible to guessing and automated credential-stuffing attacks.
Practical defenses include using a password manager to generate and store a distinct, long password for each service, blocking known compromised passwords, and enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) where available. Organizations should protect stored passwords with slow, salted one-way hashing, restrict and monitor authentication attempts, and provide secure recovery processes. Password changes are most useful after suspected compromise or exposure, rather than as routine changes that encourage predictable variations. Security teams should also treat password databases and reset mechanisms as sensitive assets during vulnerability assessment and incident response.
Default credentials, weak passwords, misconfigurations and a variety of other security shortcomings are exposing millions of medical devices and their data on the internet, said Soufian El Yadmani, CEO and co-founder of Modat, who shared recent research findings.
Attackers Read Server Files and Steal Credentials in Gladinet CentreStack, TriofoxHackers are exploiting a flaw allowing them to access without authentication document root folder files in file-sharing and remote-access software, where they obtain access tokens and passwords to unlock remote access to corporate file systems, warn researchers.
Attackers Read Server Files and Steal Credentials in Gladinet CentreStack, TriofoxHackers are exploiting a flaw allowing them to access without authentication document root folder files in file-sharing and remote-access software, where they obtain access tokens and passwords to unlock remote access to corporate file systems, warn researchers.
Every year, weak passwords lead to millions in losses — and many of those breaches could have been stopped
How recycled passwords and poor security habits are fueling a cybercrime gold rush Partner Content If you're still using "password123" for more than one account, there's a good chance you've already exposed yourself to credential stuffing attacks — one of the most prevalent and damaging forms of automated cybercrime today. Just ask the 6.9 million users of 23andMe who discovered their personal details were compromised when cybercriminals used recycled credentials from other breaches to infiltrate their accounts.…