Your privacy is only as safe as your weakest password.
Ok, so maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but let’s face it. The strength of your passwords is important. If it wasn’t, why would so many people be interested in hacking them!
Passwords keep your private stuff private. They make sure that the emails sent from your account are actually written by you. They make sure that the Posts, Likes and Comments that appear on your Facebook page are authentic. They keep your Dropbox photos private. They make sure your coffee card is used exclusively to buy frothy sweet drinks for the people you want to treat.
Of course, passwords also prevent criminals from draining your bank account, running up charges on your credit cards, and causing all sorts of other mischief.
Clearly, having a strong password and keeping it secure is important. Which leads to the question – how can you create rock-solid passwords and keep them protected? Here are 14 simple steps to help you out.
1. Use different passwords, everywhere.
You don’t use a single key to open your car, house, bicycle lock and safety deposit box, do you? Similarly, you shouldn’t use the same password for different accounts.
Though it’s obviously much easier to remember a single password, having just one password means people that if someone cracks that password, they have access to all your accounts. So if someone cracks your email account password, and you’ve used the same password for your Facebook account, Frequent Flyer account, online newspaper subscription, bank account, credit card, Amazon account, and favorite café coffee card, all your accounts will become vulnerable at the same time. Not only is that dangerous, it’s also a huge headache.
2. Keep your passwords private.
Never ever share your passwords, not even with your closest friends. Even if the people you trust don’t deliberately misuse your passwords, they might inadvertently share them with the wrong people by writing them down some place that’s not safe, or accidentally telling them to someone who shouldn’t be trusted.
When it comes to kids (if you have them), make an effort to impress upon them the importance of keeping passwords private. Because if your daughter or son entrusts their passwords to a BFF (Best Friend Forever) who eventually becomes a Frenemy (an enemy pretending to be a friend) things could get seriously ugly.
3. The longer the better.
Passwords are a bit like good books: the longer, the better. Windows recommends using 20 to 30 characters for each password, but we all know that’s not always possible. For example, some passwords only allow for a maximum of 8 character (sometimes just 4!), in which case longer passwords aren’t an option. In such case, mixing up letters and numbers is good (when allowed).
4. Personalize your password.
Unless you are a genius (and even then), you will find it difficult to memorize a random series of 20 or 30 characters. However, if you give those characters meaning, it will be easier for you to remember. Mix things up by combining lower case and upper case letters, numbers and symbols, to make the password even stronger.
For example, while ILoveFunnyGirl may be personalized and easy to remember, it’s not actually that secure. But, if you up the ante a bit by using the password Malltime#1FMeverIFGwithB$, you’ve nailed it. That password, by the way, is based on the phrase My all-time #1 Favorite Movie ever is Funny Girl with Barbra Streisand. Did you notice the $ I used instead of an S? Try it for yourself. It’s not a big difference, it’s not hard to remember, and it can make your password a whole lot $afer.
Long passwords such as the one given above are also known as passphrases. So, once you’ve chosen the passphrase of your choice, type it out in a creative way that only you could guess. The difficulty in cracking a password increases substantially when you incorporate uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
5. Be unique.
Millions of people around the world use exactly the same passwords. I know, hard to believe, right? I mean, even though there are countless articles (including this one) about how important it is to use unique passwords, and even though there are endless possible combinations for unique passwords, many people opt for the same passwords over and over again.
SplashData are experts in the password business. A few months ago, they released a list of the worst possible passwords in the world. It revealed what many experts already know. Far too many people make really bad choices when it comes to passwrods.
Bad-bad-very-bad passwords that you should avoid like the plague include:
These passwords may seem brilliant at the moment of conception, but they’re not. So if you are using any of these passwords for any of your accounts, stop reading now and change them.
6. Post-it notes are for making Things-to-do lists, not for passwords.
I know. There is nothing more tempting than typing your password on a post-it note and sticking it to your computer monitor. But resist the temptation. Having your computer password displayed on your PC kind of defeats the point of having a password, as anyone who wanders by can see it, type it, and access your private information. If you need to write down your passwords, store the information in a secret place, and make an effort to conceal the fact that it’s a password (i.e., do not list it under p in your address book).
7. Change your passwords often.
We won’t compare the importance of changing passwords to the changing of underwear (though other articles on the issue have done so) but we will liken it to changing the water in a fish tank.
If you don’t change the water in your fish tank every month or so, things are going to get icky. Change your passwords with a similar diligence. Alternately, just as an electric filter can clean your fish tank regularly, a password manager (see below) can periodically change your passwords.
8. Use a password manager.
There are dozens of services out there to help you manage your passwords. Some of them are free; others require payment. Some of them automatically change passwords on a periodic basis; others leave that to you. Do some research and see which manager you like best. The benefit of using a password manager is that you don’t actually have to memorize your passwords, and you can easily generate long and random passwords. The drawback, of course, is that you may never actually know your password.
9. Watch out for fake password verification notifications.
Be wary of messages that ask for your log in information, even if the message appears to be legitimate. A common phishing scam involves showing users screens which prompt them to change their passwords or provide personal information. If there is no valid reason for you to enter your log in details, don’t. It could be a scam. If you want to double-check the issue, type the URL of the website you want to visit into address bar and see if you are prompted again. If not, you may have just avoided a phishing technique. Phew!
10. Yes, keylogging is a thing. And yes, you can prevent it.
Even if your password is beautifully complex and sophisticated (MyBF<*inGr9WasHNB*12rY) it won’t help if there a keylogger is installed on the computer that you’re using. Keyloggers are a form of malicious software that record strokes made on a keyboard. Keylogging can also be done by device, though this is much less common. Keylogging malware is nothing new, and most antivirus programs that offer comprehensive protection for your computer also protect you from keylogging.
11. Reuse, Reduce, Recycle – Just not when it comes to passwords.
We’re in favor of reusing stuff as much as the next person, but the 3Rs simply don’t apply when it comes to internet security. Reusing passwords for diverse online functions including email, banking and social media accounts can make it that much easier for bad guys to steal your identity.
12. Watch your back.
Sorry, do I sound paranoid? I don’t mean to be, really. But make sure no one is watching you as you type in your password on your computer, and make doubly sure that no one is watching as you swipe or type your password on your mobile device. Criminals who observe people entering their passwords can use this information to access their private account information at a later date.
13. Log off when you leave.
Whether you’re scrolling through your friends’ Facebook posts at a café or working in an open space office area, best practice dictates that you log off your computer before you walk away. Usually, you can simply put the computer in Sleep or Hibernate mode. If you leave your computer unlocked, a stealthy troublemaker can sneak on and make unwanted changes to your passwords.
14. Avoid entering passwords on public computers.
Public computers in hotels and airports likely don’t have the same amazing antivirus protection that you have on your personal PC, and may very well be infected with malware designed to steal passwords. Avoid entering your passwords on such computers. If you need to access the internet securely when you’re away from home, use a mobile VPN through your own mobile device.
Do you have any tips for creating rock-solid passwords?
51 comments on “14 Simple Steps for Writing Rock-Solid Passwords”
Using a different strongly encrypted password for every website is a tad on the ridiculous side. Probably the best way to do this is to use a random character generator and us the product then reset the password everytime you visit the site.
I disagree with using Malltime#1FMeverIFGwithB$ instead of ILoveFunnyGirl sure the first may be more secure, but it’s also harder for you to forget. Despite the added security level, the crack time for both is based on a brute force attack and not a dictionary attack. The time required to crack either is extensive and based on a computer being able to crack it. In the case of ILoveFunnyGirl, the crack time with standard hardware is 8 Million Years. No-one is going to crack that in a reasonable time even with a cray server. But in the even tit were possible, best password practices dictate changing passwords every so often.
I politely disagree my friend length and memorability is better than complex jibberish.
Your point is well made, and thanks for sharing it.
Great goods from you, man. I have remember your stuff prior to and you’re
just extremely excellent. I really like what you’ve got right here, certainly like what you
are stating and the way during which you are saying it.
You are making it enjoyable and you continue to take care of to stay
it sensible. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a great website.
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you’re a great author.I
will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will often come back someday.
I want to encourage yourself to continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed surfing around
your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you can do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit,
but instead of that, this is great blog. A great read.
I’ll definitely be back.
I’m extremely impressed with your writing skills as well
as with the layout on your weblog. Is this a paid theme or
did you customize it yourself? Anyway keep up the nice quality
writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.
Hello there, You’ve done an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally suggest to my
friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this site.
Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my facebook group?
There’s a lot of people that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Thanks
It’s hard to come by experienced people on this topic, but you sound like you
know what you’re talking about! Thanks
whoah this blog is great i love studying your articles.
Keep up the good work! You already know, a lot of individuals
are looking around for this info, you could aid them greatly.
Now I am ready to do my breakfast, once having my
breakfast coming again to read more news.
I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and exposure!
Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to our blogroll.
Great goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely magnificent.
I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what
you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you
still take care of to keep it wise. I can not wait to read far more from you.
This is actually a wonderful web site.
I was able to find good advice from your content.
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites
I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always useful to read articles from other
authors and use something from other web sites.
I blog quite often and I really appreciate your information.
Your article has really peaked my interest. I’m going to bookmark
your website and keep checking for new information about once a week.
I subscribed to your RSS feed too.
excellent put up, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this.
You must continue your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!
you are actually a just right webmaster. The website loading pace is
incredible. It seems that you’re doing any unique trick.
Also, The contents are masterwork. you have performed a excellent
activity in this subject!
It’s really a great and helpful piece of info. I’m happy that you just shared
this useful information with us. Please stay
us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
I was looking through some of your articles on this site and I conceive this internet site is really informative! Keep putting up.
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after reading
through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless,
I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be
book-marking and checking back frequently!
Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend
your site, how can i subscribe for a blog web site? The account helped me a acceptable deal.
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear
idea
This piece of writing is truly a fastidious one it assists
new internet visitors, who are wishing in favor of blogging.
If you are going for finest contents like myself,
simply visit this site every day because it offers feature contents, thanks
Fine way of explaining, and good piece of writing to obtain facts about my presentation focus, which
i am going to present in institution of higher education.
Your way of telling all in this article is in fact fastidious, all can without difficulty know it, Thanks a lot.
Hi there, after reading this remarkable post i am as well cheerful to share my experience here with friends.|
I like what you guys tend to be up too. This type of clever work and exposure! Keep up the excellent works guys I’ve added you guys to blogroll.
Hi, everything is going well here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s actually
excellent, keep up writing.
I delight in, cause I discovered just what I used to be looking for.
You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have
a nice day. Bye
If some one wants expert view on the topic of blogging afterward i recommend him/her to go to see this
website, Keep up the nice work.
Hurrah! At last I got a web site from where I can really take useful facts concerning my study and knowledge.
Good way of describing, and pleasant piece of writing to take data on the topic of
my presentation focus, which i am going to present in institution of higher education.
Excellent post! We are linking to this great content on our website.
Keep up the good writing.
Very energetic post, I loved that bit. Will there be
a part 2?
Excellent post. I will bee experiencing some of these
issues as well..
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Thanks for supplying these details.
I’ve been browsing on-line more than three hours lately,
but I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours.
It’s lovely value sufficient for me. Personally, if all webmasters and bloggers
made good content as you probably did, the net
will be much more helpful than ever before.
This article provides clear idea designed for the new users of blogging, that actually how to do running a blog.
סיפורי ילדים-כמה פעמים יצא לכם
שלא ידעתם איזה סיפור הפעם לספר לילד שלכם, יש המון
סוגי סיפורים כמו סיפורי צדיקים,סיפורי עם מוסר
השכל
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you could be a
great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back very soon. I want to
encourage you continue your great work, have a nice morning!
free stop smoking kit scotland. does champix make you tired – lloyds pharmacy std test,
does quitting smoking make you fat. do you put on weight with champix – tired after quitting smoking cold turkey,
sildenafil vimax flash 50. sildenafil.medinfoblog.com – substance sildenafil thiono analogue,
This website highly impressive and most spectacular information
nice article thank you for sharing information
“I value the article.Thanks Again. Keep writing.”
“I really liked your blog article.Much thanks again.”
“Thanks a lot for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic.”