Why is using your birthday or title as a password discouraged?

A. Personal information makes passwords more secure
B. This is a common way for a hacker to, not only access your data but also discover what your password is
C. Birthday and title passwords are harder to crack
D. Using personal information enhances password strength

Answer :

Using your birthday or title as a password is highly discouraged because B. this is the most perfect way for a hacker to, not only get into your data but also discover what your password is.

  1. Predictability:

    • Personal information like birthdays or job titles can often be easily guessed or found out by others, especially through social media or public records. Hackers can use this information to gain unauthorized access to accounts.
  2. Commonality:

    • Many people share similar birth dates or professional titles, which makes these types of passwords susceptible to attacks. If a hacker uses a common attack method, such as a dictionary attack, they might use personal information as part of their guess.
  3. Security Risks:

    • In a world where many individuals frequently share personal information online, using such data for passwords makes it easier for an adversary to crack your password through methods like social engineering. For instance, if someone knows your birthday, they might attempt to use it as your password across various platforms.
  4. Overreliance on Memory:

    • People often choose simpler passwords that they can remember well, leading to weak security overall. A survey by G in 2019 found that 65% of users use the same password across multiple accounts. This means that once a hacker gains access to one account, they could potentially access others as well.
  5. Password Attacks:

    • Passwords created from easily accessible information create a larger attack surface. Cybersecurity breaches involving personal information can lead to massive compromises, endangering a multitude of users.