Creating Strong Passwords
Length is Strength
The single most important factor in password security is length. Every additional character exponentially increases the time required to crack your password.
- Minimum recommendation: 12 characters
- Optimal security: 16+ characters
- Critical accounts: 20+ characters
Security Insight
A 12-character password using all character types would take approximately 34,000 years to crack using current technology. Increasing to 16 characters extends this to 7 billion years.
Character Variety
Use a mix of different character types to maximize entropy and security:
- Uppercase letters (A-Z)
- Lowercase letters (a-z)
- Numbers (0-9)
- Special characters (!@#$%^&*)
Avoid Predictable Patterns
Even long passwords can be weak if they follow predictable patterns:
Avoid These Patterns
- Sequential keys (qwerty, 12345)
- Repeated characters (aaabbb)
- Personal information (birthdays, names)
- Common word substitutions (p@ssw0rd)
- Dictionary words with simple modifications
Better Approaches
- Use our password generator for truly random passwords
- Create passphrases from multiple random words
- Add unexpected characters in the middle of words
- Mix languages or create acronyms from memorable phrases
Password Management Strategies
Use a Password Manager
A password manager is essential for maintaining unique, complex passwords across multiple accounts. Benefits include:
- Securely stores all your passwords in an encrypted vault
- Generates strong, random passwords for you
- Auto-fills credentials on websites and apps
- Alerts you to compromised or weak passwords
- Syncs across multiple devices
Password Hierarchy
Implement a tiered approach to password security based on account importance:
Tier 1: Critical Accounts
Examples: Email, banking, password manager
Strategy: Unique, complex, 20+ character passwords with all character types. Enable MFA. Change every 3-6 months.
Tier 2: Important Accounts
Examples: Social media, shopping, cloud storage
Strategy: Unique, complex, 16+ character passwords. Enable MFA where available. Change annually.
Tier 3: Low-Risk Accounts
Examples: Forums, newsletters, entertainment
Strategy: Unique, 12+ character passwords. Change if compromised.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Whenever possible, enable multi-factor authentication on your accounts. This adds an additional layer of security beyond your password:
- Something you know: Your password
- Something you have: A mobile device, security key, or authenticator app
- Something you are: Biometric verification (fingerprint, face scan)
MFA Priority
If you can only implement MFA on some accounts, prioritize your email accounts. Email is often used for password resets, making it the gateway to all your other accounts.
Password Maintenance
Regular Password Changes
The traditional advice to change passwords every 30-90 days is now considered outdated by many security experts. Instead, follow these guidelines:
- Change passwords immediately if there's any suspicion of compromise
- Change critical account passwords every 3-6 months
- Change passwords after using them on public or untrusted computers
- Change passwords after major security incidents or data breaches
Password Breach Monitoring
Regularly check if your accounts have been compromised in data breaches:
- Use services like Have I Been Pwned to monitor your email addresses
- Enable breach notifications in your password manager
- Pay attention to security notifications from the services you use
Secure Password Recovery
Password recovery methods can be a weak link in your security:
- Use unique, random answers for security questions (store these in your password manager)
- Set up a dedicated recovery email address for critical accounts
- Keep backup codes for important accounts in a secure location
- Consider using a hardware security key for critical account recovery