We’ve all been there – struggling to remember a password, only to realize it’s something ridiculously simple like “LOUVRE” or just a string of numbers like 1111. But these predictable passwords are more than just an inconvenience – they can be catastrophic.
A recent security report from 2014 revealed that the Louvre’s CCTV network had a password as weak as “LOUVRE.” This isn’t an isolated incident; weak passwords are alarmingly common. In fact, a Colonial Pipeline cyberattack in 2021 was brought to an abrupt halt when hackers gained access through a compromised password linked to a disused virtual private networking account.
The consequences can be severe. The Colonial Pipeline shutdown resulted in a $4.4 million ransom demand and millions of dollars extorted from the company. Meanwhile, a nuclear launch code system was vulnerable due to an eight-zero “password” – until it was amended with a unique enable code that added further security steps.
Other examples include a 158-year-old business tanked by hackers after guessing an employee’s weak password, and phone hacking scandals in the UK where journalists exploited default voicemail access codes like 1111. Even an opposition party leader has made headlines for their own hacking history – confessing to changing the content of a Labour peer’s website with a “Harriet Harman” password.
The issue is widespread, but so is the solution. Implementing strong passwords and multi-factor authentication can prevent these types of cyberattacks. By learning from past mistakes, we can move away from predictable passwords and towards more secure systems that protect our personal data and prevent catastrophic consequences.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/11/09/europe/louvre-heist-weak-password-blunders-hackers-intl