Why 2026 is the year to rethink your passwords

Safer Internet Day is coming up Feb. 10—an annual reminder to pause, reflect, and clean up your digital habits. And if there was ever a year to take charge of your online safety, it’s 2026.

We’re still using terrible passwords

According to CompariTech, the most-used passwords of 2025 were shockingly predictable. Millions of people relied on simple passwords like:

  1. “123456”
  2. “12345678”
  3. “123456789”
  4. “admin”
  5. “1234”

With weak credentials like these dominating breach lists, attackers barely have to try to gain access. Once your username and password are exposed, cybercriminals can test them across dozens of websites in seconds. Even one vulnerable account can very quickly snowball into many.

CompariTech also analyzed more than 2 billion passwords circulating on data-breach forums. Their findings reveal just how risky our habits still are:

  • 25% of the top 1,000 passwords contained only numbers
  • Nearly 40% included the string “123,” while another 2% flipped it to “321”
  • Almost 4 % used variations of “pass” or password”
  • Two-thirds had fewer than 12 characters

Your 2026 password security game plan

These steps take only a few minutes each, but they dramatically boost your protection.

  1. Ditch weak or common passwords

If any of your passwords resemble those on the Top 100 most-used passwords in 2025 list, change them ASAP. Cybercriminals often test these first.

  1. Build stronger passwords

A modern password should include:

  • At least 12 characters
  • A combination of uppercase and lowercase characters
  • Unique numbers and symbols
  • No obvious patterns or sequences (“abcd,” “1234,” etc.)

Long passphrases—like short, memorable sentences—work especially well.

  1. Stop reusing passwords

Using the same password everywhere is like using one key for your car, house, office, and mailbox. If it gets copied once, everything is compromised.

  1. Use a password manager

Let technology remember your logins for you. TDS customers have access to the TDS Internet Security Suite that includes a password vault, allowing you to store strong passwords securely. For just $5.95 per month, the security suite also provides advanced features like antivirus and safe browsing tools, a privacy VPN, identity monitoring, and scam protection. Enjoy peace of mind and start your free month trial today!

  1. Turn on multi-factor authentication (MFA)

MFA blocks the majority of unauthorized login attempts. If a site offers it, enable it. It’s one of the simplest, most effective security upgrades you can make.

  1. Try passkeys for your most important accounts

Passkeys are the future of secure sign‑ins. They tie your login to a physical device—like your phone—so an attacker can’t use your credentials on their own hardware. These password replacements are:

  • Fast
  • More secure than passwords
  • Phishing-Proof
  • Available across major platforms (Google, Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Apple, and more)

Once you try them, you’ll wonder why we used passwords for so long.

Let’s make Safer Internet Day count

Safer Internet Day isn’t just about awareness—it’s about taking action. With billions of passwords floating around the darker corners of the internet, the small steps you take today can prevent major headaches tomorrow.

Garrett works on the Corporate Communications team as a Senior Communications Specialist. On a day-to-day basis, he helps tell TDS’ story through a variety of multimedia tools on various online venues. In May of 2020, he graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Journalism School with a degree in Strategic Communications. He also has a passion for emerging communication methods and received a certificate in Digital Studies. Originally hired as a Corporate Communications Intern in college, Garrett is thrilled to be a part of TDS’ diverse and inclusive company culture.

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