Tips for Creating Strong Password

Passwords are the first line of defense for your online life. A weak or reused password can expose you to account takeover, data theft, and financial fraud. Investing a few minutes to craft a robust credential pays off in peace of mind and security.

1. Make Every Password Unique

• Never reuse the same password on multiple sites.

• If one site is breached, attackers often try stolen credentials elsewhere (the “credential stuffing” attack).

• Use a different, random password for each critical account: email, banking, social media.

2. Build Complexity with Character Variety

• Combine uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and symbols (!@#$%^&*()).

• Aim for at least 12 characters. Longer is better!

• Example:

  MfT&Jsmafe1ad

  (“My friends Tom and Jasmine send me a funny email once a day” ➔ MfT&Jsmafe1ad)

3. Use a Memorable Passphrase

• Create a short sentence or acrostic that’s personal but not guessable.

• Insert numbers and symbols for extra strength:

  I took 3 storms, & danced in rain! ➔ It3s&dir!

• Passphrases (20–30 chars) often trump random strings—easier to remember, hard to crack.

4. Avoid Predictable Patterns

• Don’t use:

  • Sequential letters/numbers (e.g., abcd1234)

  • Keyboard patterns (e.g., qwerty, 1q2w3e4r)

  • Personal info (birthdays, names, addresses)

• Don’t substitute only a few characters (P@ssw0rd! is still weak).

5. Rotate & Update Regularly

• Change passwords every 6–12 months or immediately after a security breach.

• For non-critical sites, you may update less frequently—but never skip updates after known leaks.

6. Secure Storage & Management

• Use a password manager (e.g., Bitwarden, 1Password, etc) to:

  • Generate truly random passwords

  • Store and autofill them securely

  • Sync across devices

• Avoid plain-text files or browser-saved passwords without encryption.

7. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Wherever possible, enable MFA (SMS codes, authenticator apps, hardware keys).

• MFA adds a second layer: even if your password is stolen, attackers can’t log in without the second factor.

8. Beware of Phishing & Social Engineering

• Don’t enter passwords on untrusted links—always verify the site’s URL.

• Watch out for spoofed emails or messages asking for your credentials.

---

🔄 Maintaining Password Hygiene

1. Review your vault: Delete unused or stale passwords.

2. Audit breached accounts with tools like Have I Been Pwned.

3. Use alerts: Many password managers notify you of compromised credentials.