AI can do very cool things, from writing computer codes to writing stories or explaining a concept to summarizing it. However, it can do pretty uncool kinds of stuff too:

A report highlights the potential danger of using weak or common passwords. The use of AI tools like PassGAN can significantly reduce the time and effort required to crack passwords, making it easier for hackers to gain unauthorized access to personal and sensitive information.

• Home Security Heroes used an AI tool called PassGAN to estimate the time required to crack 15,600,000 common passwords via artificial intelligence. PassGAN is a combination of the word “password” and “GAN” (Generative Adversarial Network) and can crack passwords by analyzing real passwords from leaks, without relying on manual processes. This automated approach poses a serious threat as it can help hackers to crack passwords quickly and efficiently.

• Home Security Heroes discovered that 81% of the common passwords they analyzed could be cracked in under a month, with 71% being cracked in less than a day, 65% in less than an hour, and 51% in less than a minute. The susceptibility of a password to cracking was influenced by both its length and complexity. Even a password with seven characters, containing uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, could be cracked in just six minutes by PassGAN. Similarly, a 13-character password with only numbers could be cracked in just three minutes.

Relax…AI still cannot beat humans, to protect against password cracking. Despite the looming threat posed by AI tools like PassGAN to our passwords, we shouldn’t just accept defeat and surrender to AI overlords. Instead, we can fight back by adopting good password hygiene practices, which involve adhering to certain rules and requirements.

• Use strong and unique passwords for each account. It should be at least 12 characters long, contains a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and is not a commonly used password. A more secure password is one that is longer and more complex, as it becomes more difficult for attackers to crack. To achieve this, it’s recommended to use a minimum of 15 characters, including uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, while also avoiding common patterns and using real words.

• Change the password regularly: It’s possible that you may be worried about unauthorized access to one of your accounts, or you may have mistakenly shared your password with someone. Regardless of the reason, it’s important to change your password regularly to protect against its unauthorized use and potential misuse.

• Don’t use the same password across multiple accounts.

• It’s also important to stay vigilant against phishing attempts and other scams that attempt to trick you into revealing your password. Always be wary of suspicious emails, messages, or phone calls that ask for your login credentials.

• By taking these precautions, you can significantly reduce the risk of your passwords being cracked by AI tools like PassGAN and protect your personal and sensitive information from being compromised.

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