I’ll be the first to admit that, despite knowing better, I hate changing my password. In fact, even when I am forced to change my password, such as when some systems and websites force users to change their password after a certain amount of time has passed, I always try to fall back on a previously used password. (Don’t follow my example. Do as I say, not as I do.) Why do I hate changing my password? The same reason most people hate changing their password — we need to memorize the damn things. Of course having a password manager somewhat mitigates the need to memorize, but you still need to have an idea of what your passwords are because you won’t be able to carry that password manager around with you everywhere. And no one likes doing that.

In fact, according to the 2012 Online Registration and Password study conducted by Harris Interactive and sponsored by Janrain, 38% of people would rather do household chores — such as cleaning a room, washing dishes, or cleaning a toilet — than create a new username and password. On top of that, 38% of people think it is easier to attain world peace than remember all their passwords. See what I mean when I say no one likes new passwords?

Other insights provided by the study are:

• 58% of adult have 5 or more unique passwords
  • 30% have 10 or more unique passwords
  • 8% have 21 or more unique passwords (!)
• 75% of people claim to try to create the strongest password possible (as opposed to using dictionary words)
• 84% of people hate registering on websites

That last part about people hating to register on websites is no surprising but I am surprised that 75% claim to try to use the strongest password possible. Then again, it is a well known fact people tend to exaggerate, if not lie, in online survey to try to make themselves look better so that 75% stat may not be exactly accurate. Or it may be. I don’t know.

So… let’s hear it. Does the above study describe how you feel about passwords? Let me us know in the comments below.

[via Janrain | Image via Ron Bennetts]