Originality is key for secure passwords

C’mon, people: Be original. It might just protect your identity and finances.

A recent study found more people choose “password” than any other word or phrase to secure their online accounts. As the tech website Mashable.com puts it, “…that makes ‘password’ the absolute worst string of characters you can chose to protect your online identity.”

The study was conducted by SplashData, which compiles a list of the worst computer passwords every year.

Generally, tech experts recommend that passwords be as unique as possible to thwart hackers. To help users create secure passwords, Mashable has posted a video with some tips .

The top 10 worst passwords, in order, are:

* 1.password (unchanged from 2011)

* 2. 123456 (unchanged from 2011)

* 3. 12345678 (unchanged from 2011)

* 4. abc123

* 5. qwerty

* 6. monkey

* 7. letmein

* 8. dragon

* 9. 111111

* 10. Baseball