Jesus & your secrets

November 19, 2012

Every year, an organization called SplashData analyzes files containing millions of stolen passwords posted online by computer hackers. From that data, it compiles a list of the 25 worst passwords. 

This year, for the first time, "Jesus" made the list, premiering at No. 21, right between "football" and "Michael."

So, if you chose the name of our Lord as a password for any of your online registrations, you probably thought, "No way I could forget that." Unfortunately, people with evil intentions are onto you, and they remember the name, too. And I doubt they're asking themselves, "What would Jesus do?"

The Infamous Ten

For the record, here are the Top 10 worst passwords of 2012. (By the way, if you picked Nos. 1 through 4, then shame on you for possessing a teeny-weeny imagination. And if you picked Nos. 6 and 8, what's going on in that head of yours?) Here you go …

1. password

2. 123456

3. 12345678

4. abc123

5. qwerty

6. monkey

7. letmein

8. dragon

9. 111111

10. baseball

Change, change, change

Morgan Slain, CEO of SplashData, said he encourages computer users to switch away from bad passwords. "We're hoping … more people will start taking simple steps to protect themselves by using stronger passwords and using different passwords for different websites," he urged.

If you think you can remember "Jesus" but don't want hackers to break in and steal your computer secrets, try to out-think them. You might start by assuming hackers didn't go to Sunday school or, at best, didn't pay attention in Sunday school. So, think of passwords that mean the same thing but aren't as obvious.

Likely alternatives

This could include "SonOfGod," "Emmanuel" or "Immanuel," "TheWord" or (if you want to flatter yourself for knowing a bit of Greek) "Logos." And if your fingers are energetic and you go for a long password, try "SecondPersonOfTheTrinity."

Of course, if any hackers read this blog, they'll be onto you. But I'm guessing the volume of hackers who read FaithWorks is even lower than the volume who won Sunday school attendance pens.

So, if "Jesus" is your password, change it. That's not the same as apostasy.