Secret123

Secret123 is a commonly cited example of a weak password used in computer security literature to illustrate the dangers of predictable credential choices. The phrase combines an English word with the sequential digits 123, a pattern that is quickly ruled out by attackers using basic dictionaries and brute-force techniques. Because of its simplicity and predictability, Secret123 offers little resistance to password-guessing attempts and is routinely discouraged by security guidelines.

In practice, Secret123 has appeared in password lists and breach analyses as an archetype of insecure credentials, alongside other well-known weak patterns such as Password123 and Qwerty123. It is often used in educational materials to demonstrate how simple, common-form passwords can be compromised and to motivate the use of stronger authentication practices. Security researchers and administrators may reference this and similar examples when illustrating the limits of simple passwords and the value of better practices.

Mitigation and best practices emphasize creating longer, more complex credentials or, preferably, using a password manager to generate and store random passwords. Recommendations include using a minimum length of 12 to 16 characters, avoiding common words and predictable sequences, and enabling multi-factor authentication where available. Regularly updating passwords, unique credentials for each service, and monitoring accounts for unauthorized access are also advised to reduce risk associated with weak passwords. See also password strength, credential stuffing, and multi-factor authentication.