Understanding Password Strength
Password strength is your first line of defense against cyberattacks. It is a measurement of how difficult it is for an attacker to guess your credentials through manual guessing or automated brute-force software.
How to Create a Secure Password
- Increase Length: Aim for at least 12 to 16 characters.
- Use Randomness: Avoid patterns like "12345" or "qwerty".
- Mixed Characters: Combine uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
- The Passphrase Method: Use four random words like "Ocean-Pizza-Cloud-Running".
What is Password Entropy?
Entropy measures the randomness of a password in bits. Higher entropy means a higher number of guesses required to crack it.
The mathematical formula for entropy is: $$E = L \times \log_2(R)$$ Where L is the length and R is the range of characters available.
How to Protect Your Passwords
- Use a Password Manager: Store your unique passwords in an encrypted vault.
- Enable 2FA: Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security beyond just the password.
- Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Never log into sensitive accounts on unsecured networks.
- Check for Breaches: Use tools to see if your data has been leaked in historical hacks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a secure password be?
Cybersecurity experts recommend a minimum of 12 to 16 characters. Longer passwords exponentially increase the time required for a brute-force attack to succeed.
What is the most secure type of password?
A randomly generated string of characters or a long "passphrase" consisting of 4-5 unrelated words is considered most secure because they lack predictable human patterns.
Why should I avoid using ambiguous characters?
Characters like "i, l, 1, L" and "o, 0, O" can look identical in many fonts. Excluding them prevents frustrating login errors when you have to type your password manually.
Is it safe to use an online password generator?
Yes. Our generator runs locally in your browser. This means your password is never sent over the internet or stored on any server; it is created and stays only on your device.
Should I change my passwords every 90 days?
Modern guidelines suggest that quality is better than frequency. Instead of changing passwords often, focus on using long, unique passwords and enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).