Report reveals 25 worst internet passwords

When it comes to creating passwords, some internet users are cleverer than others. But with the latest report from SplashData, consumers can now see how their inventions stack up against the 25 worst passwords of the year.

Not surprisingly, "password," "123456" and "qwerty" were at the top of this year's list. Less conventional passwords like "monkey," "sunshine" and "baseball" were also surprising additions to the top 25. This news is no laughing matter, however, as the rankings were gathered from direct analyses of password theft data.

"Hackers can easily break into many accounts just by repeatedly trying common passwords," SplashData chief executive Morgan Slain told Mashable. "Even though people are encouraged to select secure, strong passwords, many people continue to choose weak, easy-to-guess ones, placing themselves at risk from fraud and identity theft."

For consumers achieving the dubious honor of having their passwords recognized on the list, the report recommended several advanced strategies.

Passwords should be at least eight characters long, and include a combination of letters, numbers and symbols if possible. Passwords should also be changed regularly and used for only one account. For consumers having trouble generating or organizing all of their information, password manager software may also be a helpful tool.