‘Admin’ Identified as Most Common Password in U.S. for 2025

WASHINGTON — The most frequently used password in the United States for 2025 is “admin,” according to a recent cybersecurity study. The finding underscores persistent vulnerabilities as millions of users continue to rely on easily guessable passwords, putting their accounts at risk.

The report, compiled by cybersecurity firms NordPass and NordStellar, analyzed millions of leaked credentials to identify password trends and habits across different generations. The study revealed that simple words, common number sequences, and familiar keyboard patterns remain widespread choices among users.

In the U.S., “admin” topped the list of the 20 most common passwords, followed by multiple variations of the word “password” and several numeric strings. The list also included one explicit term. The top 20 passwords included entries such as “password,” “123456,” “12345678,” “Password1,” and “abc123.”

Experts warn that these weak passwords provide attackers with a quick entry point into accounts, especially since criminals often use automated tools that test common passwords first. The reuse of the same password across multiple sites further increases the risk, allowing hackers to access several accounts once one password is compromised.

The problem is not unique to the United States. Globally, “123456” remains the most common password, with “admin” and “12345678” also frequently used. While there has been a noted increase in passwords containing special characters, many still follow predictable patterns that can be easily cracked by hacking tools.

The persistence of simple passwords, including the use of the word “password” in various languages worldwide, highlights the widespread nature of the issue. Contrary to assumptions that younger adults are more digitally savvy, the research indicates that unsafe password choices are common across age groups.

The cybersecurity firms emphasize the importance of stronger password practices and recommend using passkeys or unique, complex passwords to enhance online security and reduce the risk of account breaches.