A STUDY BEING highlighted today shows people in Ireland often use well-known pop culture terms and phrases as well as the names of favourite brands, broadcasters and TV shows as their online passwords.

Terms like ‘barrystea’, ‘fatherted’, ‘glenroe’ and ‘joeduffy’ all cropped up on the list – as did the likes of the ever popular ‘riverdance’ and superhoofer Michael Flatley’s ‘lordofthedance’.

“Avoid easily recognisable phrases,” Dr Hazel Murray from Cyber Skills commented as part of an awareness campaign. “Glenroe finished over 20 years ago on TV yet it’s been used nearly 90 times in the hacked password database.”

Today we’re asking: Are you happy you have a secure password?

Poll Results:

Yes (4006)

Well holy God, I thought I did until I read this poll (834)

No (744)

Flatley, I've no interest in this subject (307)

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More