Too many users are reusing passwords: Cybersecurity dangers revealed
Too many users are reusing passwords: Cybersecurity dangers revealed
Publish Date: 2026-02-25 17:13:00
Source Domain: www.digitaljournal.com
Image: © AFP
One of the most persistent and underestimated cybersecurity risks is near-identical password reuse. This is the practice of adding or changing a character in an existing password, instead of creating a unique password.
To highlight the evident risks, a NordPass survey shows that 62% of U.S. workers, 60% of UK employees, and 50% of German workers admit they reuse passwords across multiple online accounts.
When a new password is needed, people often just add a letter or a number to secure the new account. Analysis of passwords leaked to the dark web tells the same story. The “Top 200 most common passwords 2025” list is populated with nearly identical passwords. Researchers found 119 such passwords in the list.
From “admin” to “admin1” — why hackers love minor tweaks in your login credentials
The new analysis reveals that a common habit of making small tweaks to existing passwords — such as adding a number or changing a symbol in an existing password, instead of creating a unique one — is a massive security risk that hackers easily exploit.
Despite company policies and security training, this widespread practice of using near-identical passwords remains one of the biggest, most underestimated threats, the survey finds.
This risky behaviour is indeed widespread. NordPass’ password reuse survey reveals that too many people reuse passwords across multiple online accounts. On average (mean), people reuse passwords for about five accounts, with one-fifth admitting to reusing them for 10 or more accounts.
Adding a letter, a number, or a symbol
According to the survey data, 68% of people who reuse passwords make at least some changes before reusing them. The most common change is adding or changing a number, symbol, or letter.
This a lax approach to security can result in stolen data or an emptied bank account, and a lot of anxiety. The problem is that in many firms, this practice, technically does not…
