Now this is an interesting analysis of password recovery speeds. It compares password length and chars used to the time different computers need to bruteforce the password, ranging from Class A (speed of a pentium 100) to Class F (supercomputers, large scale distribution) computers.
They take a look at passwords that consist of only numbers, only letters, a combination of numbers and letters and finally letters and numbers and common symbols. For example a six digit password could be cracked by a Class A computer in about 9 hours while a Class F one would reveal the password in the same instance you started the process. Take a look and calculate how long it would take that someone could bruteforce your passwords.
It´s of course a different story if something prevents the bruteforce process to continue, for example online banking accounts disable the account after three failed login attempts.
Related posts:
Make your passwords stronger with password chartUse Password Grids to Remember Passwords
Distributed Password Recovery using Geforce 8 Video Cards
Chrome Password Recovery Tool
Password Security: What Users Know and What They Actually Do
Outlook Express Password Recovery
Password Exporter Firefox Extension
How to reset the Master Password in Firefox

