Strong passwords are long, random, and unique for each account, built from a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. A good standard is at least 12–16 characters, with longer being better, and avoid common words or easily guessable patterns. Consider using a password manager to generate and store unique passwords securely. Key practices
- Length and complexity: Aim for 12–16+ characters. Use a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
- Unpredictability: Avoid dictionary words, names, dates, or simple sequences. Do not reuse passwords across important accounts.
- Account-specific: Create different passwords for each service to limit damage if one is compromised.
- Memory aids: Use a memorable base phrase transformed with substitutions and separators, or rely on a password manager to generate and remember random strings.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA wherever possible to add a second layer of defense.
Practical tips
- If you must create a password yourself, consider a method like: take a random passphrase (unrelated to you), insert numbers and symbols, and vary cases. For example, a base could be a phrase like “sunset over mountain” transformed with capitalization, numbers, and symbols (e.g., “SunSet$0v3rM0uNtain!”). The key is unpredictability and length.
- Use a reputable password manager to generate and store complex passwords automatically; this reduces cognitive load and helps enforce uniqueness across sites.
- Regularly review accounts for security: update passwords after breaches, and ensure 2FA is on.
If you’d like, describe the types of accounts you want to secure (email, banking, social, etc.), and I can tailor a step-by-step plan for creating and managing strong, unique passwords and enabling 2FA for each.
