Why Old Passwords Never Die (and Still Put You at Risk)

Let’s be honest.

We’ve all reused the same old password across a bunch of sites. Maybe it was your dog’s name, your favourite band, or the classic “Password123.”

You might think:

“Yeah, I used that years ago. Doesn’t matter now.”

Here’s the problem:

Once a password leaks online, a copy of it is there forever.

And hackers don’t forget.

 

 

The Undead Password Problem

When websites get hacked, big lists of usernames and passwords end up on the dark web. Once they’re dumped, they’re copied, shared, sold, traded — like digital zombies that never stop roaming.

So even if you changed your password years ago, the old one can still be used against you in:
• Credential stuffing – hackers try your old login across other sites (banking, email, shopping).
• Phishing attempts – scammers email you, quoting an old password to “prove” they’ve hacked you.
• Identity building – old details stitched together with new ones to impersonate you.

 

 

Real Example

Back in 2012, LinkedIn was hacked. Millions of passwords were leaked.
Over a decade later, those same passwords still turn up in attacks — because copies live on countless hacker forums.

So if you ever used “ilovepizza123” on LinkedIn back then, hackers could still try it today on PayPal, Netflix, or your email.

 

 

Do This Today

  1. Check if your details have leaked
    Go to HaveIBeenPwned.com — stick in your email, and see if your info is in a breach.
  2. Retire old passwords
    Never recycle them. If it’s ever been exposed, bin it for good.
  3. Use unique passwords everywhere
    That way if one site leaks, the damage stops there.
  4. Switch to passphrases
    Easier to remember, harder to crack. E.g. CoffeeTableBanana42.
  5. Get a password manager
    Tools like Bitwarden, 1Password, or LastPass can create and store unique logins for you.

 

 

Key Takeaway

Old passwords are like exes who never leave your Facebook friends list — they just hang around forever, causing problems when you least expect it.

Once a password hits the internet, it’s never gone. Treat every old one as toxic, and never bring it back.

 

 

At The Cyber Workshop, our Passwords & Passphrases Workshop shows you how to build strong, memorable logins and keep them safe. No jargon, just the simple stuff hackers hope you ignore.

 

 

Till next time,

Remember: zombies aren’t real, but zombie passwords definitely are.

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