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How to Create a Strong Password
Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
SecurityPasswordPrivacyAccountsOnlineSettingsProtectionDevicesAuthenticationManagement
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In today's digital age, creating a strong password is essential to protect your personal and business information. A strong password ensures that hackers and unauthorized users cannot easily access your online accounts, whether it’s an email account, social media profile, or bank account. This guide will provide you with comprehensive steps and tips to help you create a strong and secure password.
1. Understand what makes a password strong
A strong password is one that is difficult for others to guess or break. There are several key components to creating a strong password:
- Length: The longer the password, the better. Keep the password at least 12 to 16 characters long.
- Complexity: Include a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.
- Unpredictability: Avoid using common words, phrases or easily guessable information such as your name, date of birth or common sequences like "1234" or "password."
- Uniqueness: Use different passwords for different accounts to ensure that if one password gets leaked, your other accounts remain secure.
2. Steps to create a strong password
Step 1: Choose a passphrase
A passphrase is a long string of words that forms a strong foundation for your password. Passphrases are easier to remember than a random string of letters, but they should not be common phrases or quotes.
Example: Instead of using "iloveyou" or "letmein", you could choose a unique sequence of unrelated words, such as "PurpleMonkeyDishwasher".
Step 2: Add complexity
Once you have a basic passphrase, you can add complexity by including a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. This makes it more difficult for anyone to guess or crack your password, even using automated tools.
Example: Change "PurpleMonkeyDishwasher" to something like "Purpl3M0nk3yD!shw@sh3r".
Step 3: Replace characters
Replacing letters with similar-looking numbers or symbols can add an extra layer of complexity. For example, you could replace 'A' with '@', 'S' with '$', 'E' with '3', and so on.
Example: "password" becomes "P@$$w0rd".
Step 4: Incorporate unusual symbols
Including unusual symbols can make your password even stronger. Many websites allow the use of various special characters such as `!`, `#`, `$`, `%` and others.
Example: "Purpl3M0nk3yD!shw@sh3r" can be further modified to "P%rpl3M0nk3yD!shw@s#3r".
3. Tips for creating and managing passwords
Tip 1: Use a password manager
Using a password manager you can create, store and manage your passwords securely. Password managers can generate complex passwords for each of your accounts and store them in an encrypted format, so you only need to remember one master password.
Tip 2: Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security by requiring more than just a password to access your account. This can include a text message code, email verification, or an authentication app, making it much harder for unauthorized users to gain access.
Tip 3: Don't reuse passwords
Reusing passwords across multiple accounts can be dangerous. If one account is compromised, all other accounts with the same password are also at risk. Always use different passwords for different accounts.
Tip 4: Update your passwords regularly
Change your passwords regularly to reduce the risk of them being hacked. Set a reminder to update your passwords every three to six months.
Tip 5: Avoid common password mistakes
Avoid using passwords that are easy to guess. Common pitfalls include:
- Personal information: Avoid using your name, date of birth, or the names of family members.
- Simple patterns: Avoid using patterns like "123456" or "abcdef".
- Common passwords: Words like "password" or "qwerty" are easy to guess.
4. Examples of strong passwords
Let's look at some examples of creating strong passwords using the given guidelines:
Example 1: Base word with complication
Original word: "chocolatecake"
- Add numbers and symbols: "Choc0l@t3C@k3!"
Example 2: Unrelated words
Passphrase: "GreenElephantSunshine"
- Add complication: "Gr33n3l3ph@nt$unsh!n3"
Example 3: Random characters
Start with a random sequence: "x7P*4z~bQ"
- Make sure the characters mix: "x7P*4z~bQ8%Kd"
5. Storing passwords securely
It's important to store your passwords securely to ensure they're not easily accessible to unauthorized users. Here are some ways to do this:
Use a password manager
A good password manager will encrypt your passwords and store them securely. They can also automatically fill in your login details and even create strong passwords for new accounts.
Avoid physical notes
Do not write down passwords on paper or in a plain text file on your computer. These can easily be lost or stolen.
Use encrypted digital storage
If you must store passwords digitally outside of a password manager, make sure the file is encrypted and stored securely. For example, use a secure note feature in your smartphone or encrypted cloud storage.
Conclusion
Creating a strong password is essential to protect your personal and business information from unauthorized access. By following the guidelines and steps outlined in this guide, you can create strong and secure passwords that are difficult for hackers to crack. Remember, the main components of a strong password are length, complexity, unpredictability, and uniqueness. Use a password manager, enable multi-factor authentication, avoid reusing passwords, and update them regularly to maintain the highest level of security for your online accounts.
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