What Makes a Secure Password?
A secure password is one that’s long, unpredictable, and difficult to guess. It typically includes a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using personal information, common words, or simple patterns. The longer and more random the password, the stronger the protection against brute-force and dictionary attacks. If you can, use a passphrase.
Password Length
Length is a significant factor, but complexity also plays a vital role in password strength. A complex password should include a mix of: Uppercase & lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. This diversity makes it significantly more difficult for attackers to guess or brute-force a password.
Password Complexity
Length is a significant factor, but complexity also plays a vital role in password strength. A complex password should include a mix of: Uppercase & lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. This diversity makes it significantly more difficult for attackers to guess or brute-force a password.
Unique Passwords
It is essential to use unique passwords for each of your accounts. Reusing passwords across multiple accounts increases the risk of a security breach. If one account is compromised, the attacker can potentially access all your accounts with the same password. Employing unique passwords for each account helps mitigate this risk.
Unpredictability & Passphrases
To further enhance password security, avoid using easily guessable information such as birthdays, common words, or sequential patterns (e.g., “1234” or “password”). Instead, consider using passphrases – combinations of random words that are easy to remember but hard to guess (e.g., “SunshineElephantBicycle27!”). Passphrases can be both secure and user-friendly, striking a balance between complexity and memorability.
Remember to change your passwords regularly, and when prompted to change a password, do not reuse an old password.