How to Make a Strong Password

Creating a password is something you do often online. You need one to check your email, shop online, or use your bank account. It can be tempting to use a short and easy password. But doing this puts your personal information at risk. A strong password is harder to guess and keeps your accounts safe.

Why Strong Passwords Matter

You may wonder why strong passwords are important. Many websites are secure, but there is always a small risk. Hackers might try to break into your accounts and steal your data. A strong password helps stop that from happening.

Tips for Strong Passwords

A good password should be easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess. Here are some simple tips to help you:

  • Don’t use personal info. Avoid using your name, birthday, or email. Hackers can find that information easily.
  • Make it long. Use at least six characters. But more than 10 is even better.
  • Mix things up. Use capital and small letters, numbers, and symbols.
  • Avoid real words. Don’t use words from the dictionary. For example, “summer2024” is easy to guess.
  • Use different passwords. Don’t use the same one for every account.
  • Try random passwords. These are the strongest. If you need help, try a password generator.

Password Mistakes to Avoid

Many people choose weak passwords without realizing it. Let’s look at some common mistakes and how to fix them.

  • Using personal info and real words: This is too easy to guess. Try something more random. For example, combine a movie character and food: "Chewbacca" and "pizza" could become chEwbAccAp!ZZa.

  • Making it too short: A password with only five characters is too weak. Use at least 10 characters. Mix things up with a street name and symbols: “Pemberly Ave” could turn into p3MberLY%Av.

  • Using simple patterns: Passwords like “123456” or “abcde” are too easy. Instead, create a random one. For example: #eV$pIg&qf.

You can use a mnemonic to help remember random passwords. For example, H=jNp2# can be remembered as: Harry = Jessica North Paris 2 #.

  • Using the same password everywhere: If one account gets hacked, all others are at risk. Make a different password for each one.

Using a Password Manager

It can be hard to remember many strong passwords. That’s why password managers are helpful. They store your passwords safely. They can also fill them in for you on websites. This means you can create long and complex passwords without having to remember them all.

A strong password should have:

  • More than 10 characters
  • A mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
  • No personal info or real words

Using these tips will help keep your accounts safe. Always make strong passwords to protect your personal information.