A shocking password scandal has rocked France after thieves stole $100 million in jewels from the Louvre Museum in Paris — and investigators revealed the museum’s surveillance system once used “Louvre” as its own password. The discovery stunned cybersecurity experts and exposed how even world-class institutions can fall victim to digital complacency.
French media reports say the Louvre’s internal systems once relied on weak, outdated defenses, including Windows Server 2003 software and rooftop access points with little protection. Thieves reportedly used an electric ladder to reach a balcony, exploiting the same vulnerabilities noted in a decade-old cybersecurity audit. The most alarming revelation: museum logins once included the passwords “Louvre” and “Thales,” one of which was visible on a login screen.
That oversight, experts warn, was the digital equivalent of “leaving the keys under the doormat.” The museum has not commented publicly on the incident, but French investigators are now reviewing whether poor cybersecurity practices contributed to the heist.
The lesson, experts say, applies far beyond the Louvre. Weak passwords remain one of the most common causes of data breaches worldwide. During the holiday shopping season, cybercriminals target millions of users who reuse simple passwords or fail to secure their devices.
Cybersecurity professionals recommend creating complex passwords with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, changing them regularly, and avoiding anything easily guessed like a name or birthday. Password managers can also help generate and store unique credentials securely.
