Time to Hack a Password in 2024: Results of the Hive Systems Study

Hive Systems, a company specializing in computer security, has released its annual chart highlighting the time required to crack a password based on its length and complexity (lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, special characters).

Passwords Shorter Than 8 Characters Are Ineffective

The chart confirms a well-known fact in cybersecurity: short and simple passwords are easily hackable. For example, a password of 5 characters consisting only of lowercase letters can be hacked in just 2 minutes!

For a Secure Password, Opt for Complexity

To improve your password security, add complexity. According to the chart data, it would take about 479 years to crack a 9-character password combining lowercase letters, uppercase letters, and special characters.

Hive Systems explains that their chart is based on a "black box" scenario where the hacker must start from scratch to decipher the password hash, showing the "worst case" or "maximum time required."

Methodology Update

This year, the methodology has been updated. Previously, the hash used was MD5, but since this method is becoming less common, the chart now uses bcrypt, a more robust hash. This change has significantly increased the time required to hack a password, but this improvement might not last as computing power increases.

How to Strengthen Your Account Security?

Using a password manager is a simple method to generate and store robust and unique passwords for each account. Additionally, two-factor authentication apps can enhance your account protection. In a time of increasing cyberattacks, it's crucial not to neglect your account security.

A Future Without Passwords?

A promising new solution for securing accounts is the use of passkeys. This technology allows you to log in without a password and is already available for testing on Google, Microsoft, and WhatsApp.