Social media in splits after probe reveals password to Louvre's security system following heist: 'Can’t make this up'

File photo

Weeks after a brazen $102 million daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum, investigators have revealed an astonishing flaw in the iconic Paris institution’s digital defences: the password to its core security system.

According to a report in the New York Post, the system at Lourve was protected by the password "LOUVRE".

France’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI) discovered the vulnerability while probing the October 19 heist.

Confidential documents obtained by French newspaper Libération showed that the agency had previously been able to access the museum’s video surveillance servers using the same easily guessed password. The weakness was first identified in a 2014 audit.

That audit had also uncovered “serious shortcomings” in the museum’s cybersecurity, including the use of two-decade-old software to manage its most critical protection and detection systems. “An attacker who manages to take control of it would be able to facilitate damage or even theft of artworks,” ANSSI warned at the time.

It remains unclear whether the Louvre ever changed the password or upgraded its systems in the years since the warnings. The museum has not publicly commented on the findings.

Louvre team setting the video surveillance password to "Louvre" pic.twitter.com/GNN1zAWmFs

— Cybernews (@CyberNews) November 5, 2025

The revelation comes on the heels of one of France’s most daring art thefts in recent memory.

Social media was flooded with reactions after the news report, with users calling out the iconic museum for using the weakest password ever.

"If you ever have imposter syndrome, just remember that the security password for The Louvre was 'louvre'," one user commented.

Another said: "If you feel like you're bad at your job and it's making you depressed, just consider that, as the investigation of the recent heist revealed, the password to access the Louvre's videosurveillance system was "Louvre"."

Apparently the password for the Louvre security system was “louvre” Can’t make this up. 😝 pic.twitter.com/jtOOymW6pm — Dr Martin Hiesboeck (@MHiesboeck) November 5, 2025

On October 19, a four-member gang disguised in yellow construction vests and motorcycle helmets carried out a meticulously planned robbery in broad daylight.

Using a cherry picker, they scaled the walls of the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery, smashed glass display cases with chainsaws and seized eight rare jewels, including a sapphire diadem, necklace and single earring once belonging to 19th-century Queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense.

The entire heist took less than eight minutes. After collecting the jewels, the thieves descended using the same cherry picker, attempted to set the vehicle on fire, and fled the scene on two scooters parked nearby.

French police have since arrested four suspects — three of whom are believed to have directly participated in the robbery. Authorities said some of the men were already known to law enforcement for previous high-value thefts and may have executed the heist on commission.

In response to the security breach, France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati announced that the Louvre will install new “anti-ramming” and “anti-intrusion” barriers by the end of the year.