A hacker can crack your numeric-only passcode in seconds
Alpha-numeric passcodes are key to robust digital security
Did you know a hacker can crack a 12-number passcode in merely seconds? In this context, the Repocket team has released new research about the perils of numeric-only passcodes and the consequential vulnerability of smartphones.
Repocket operates a large-scale proxy network that provides access to IP addresses in over 165 countries.
Jason Adler, a security expert at Repocket, emphasises that the weak link in any security system is not the technology itself but the people who use it.
Adler’s warning comes as experts reveal that numeric-only passcodes or passwords, considered by many smartphone users as sufficient protection, are, in fact, the most vulnerable to hacking.
All in seconds
Shockingly, a 12-number password can be cracked in seconds, and even a 10-digit numeric-only password is susceptible to immediate breach.
Many smartphone users still rely on simplistic numeric passcodes, believing a four to six-digit code provides ample security. However, the mathematics behind these codes reveals their vulnerability.
A four-digit passcode offers 10,000 possibilities, while a six-digit passcode provides just a million, making them exponentially less secure.
To put it into perspective, a determined hacker can crack a four-digit passcode in less than seven minutes and a six-digit passcode in less than 22 hours. Predictable codes, such as ‘123456’ or birth years, further accelerate hacking.
Adler notes: “The rapid improvement in cracking technology means that passcodes once considered secure, like numeric-only passcodes, are alarmingly unsafe today.”
The key to more robust digital security lies in alpha-numeric passcodes. Even a six-character password, incorporating a mix of lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols, offers over 56 billion possibilities. This complexity significantly raises the bar for hackers, making it exceedingly difficult to crack passwords.
How to create a robust passcode
To bolster digital security, Adler recommends the following tips for creating a robust passcode:
- Always opt for alpha-numeric passcodes over numeric-only.
- Incorporate both uppercase and lowercase letters for added complexity.
- Include symbols, as they significantly increase the number of combinations.
- Avoid using easily guessed personal information like birthdays or anniversaries.
- Aim for a passcode of at least eight characters, with 12 being even safer.
While a strong passcode is essential, it is not the only line of defence.
Adler advises users to regularly update their phone’s software, encrypt sensitive files, and caution against clicking on suspicious links to safeguard against spyware and phishing attacks.
Featured image: A 12-number password can be cracked in seconds. Image: Clint Patterson
