August 16, 2024 at 12:40PM
End users often create weak, easily guessed “keyboard walk” passwords, formed by keys next to each other on the keyboard like ‘qwerty’. Despite appearing secure, they pose a significant security risk and are prevalent in compromised passwords. Organizations can educate users on strong passphrases and use tools like Specops Password Policy to block these patterns and enhance overall password security.
From the meeting notes, the key takeaways are:
1. Keyboard walk patterns, such as ‘qwerty’ or ‘asdfgh’, are a commonly overlooked type of weak password that poses a significant security risk.
2. End users create keyboard walk passwords because they are easy to remember, prioritizing ease of memorization over security.
3. Research has revealed that keyboard walk patterns are widespread in compromised passwords, posing a significant security risk.
4. IT admins and organizations should take proactive steps to block keyboard walk patterns and protect Active Directory from potential attacks. This can be achieved through education, tools like Specops Password Policy, and continuous scanning against a database of compromised passwords.
In summary, organizations need to address the use of keyboard walk patterns by educating users, implementing password policies, and leveraging tools to strengthen overall password security and protect against potential attacks.