We all have that one “favorite” password we’ve used for years, like a pet’s name or an anniversary. While easy to remember, those are also the first things hackers guess when attempting to break into an account.
Think of your password as your digital front door—don’t leave the key under the mat! Today, we’ll show you how to create passwords that are easy for you to remember but very difficult for a robot to crack.
Common Mistakes to Avoid 🛑
Before we build a strong password, let’s talk about what makes a “weak” one. If your password contains any of the following, it is time for an upgrade:
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Sequential or repeating numbers or letters: Avoid “123456,” “111111,” and “qwerty.”
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The word “password”: Believe it or not, this is still the most common password in the world!
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Personal details: Avoid using your name, your spouse’s name, your birthday, or your street address. Hackers can easily find this information in public records or on social media.
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Single words: A simple word like “apple” or “garden” can be guessed by a computer in less than a second.
The Secret Ingredient: Use a “Passphrase” 🤫
One way to stay safe is to stop thinking about passwords and start thinking about passphrases. A passphrase is a short, sometimes silly sentence that is much harder for a computer to guess because of its length.
Instead of: ApplePie (Weak)
Try: ILoveMakingApplePieSoMuch (Strong!)
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Why it works: Longer is always better. Every extra letter you add makes the password exponentially harder for a computer to guess.
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Easy to remember: It’s much easier to remember a funny sentence than a string of random characters like
Xj8!Lp2.
Add a Little Extra Spice 🌶️
Once you have your passphrase, you can make it even stronger by adding a few symbols or numbers. You don’t need to overcomplicate it!
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Swap a letter for a number: Instead of
ILoveWalkingInThePark, tryILoveWalk1ngInThePark. -
Add a symbol: Put an exclamation point or a dollar sign in your sentence, like
CoffeeIsTheBestAt8am!.
Let Your Phone or Computer Do the Remembering 🧠
If you’re worried about forgetting all these new, long passwords, no need to fear!
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Built-in Password Managers: Your iPhone (iCloud Keychain) and your Android phone (Google Password Manager) can store all your passwords for you. Browsers such as Google Chrome also have built-in password managers for use on your computer.
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How it works: When you go to a website, your device will ask, “Do you want me to fill in your password?” You say yes (or use your fingerprint/face scan), and it does the work for you!
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One “Master” Password: You only have to remember the one password to unlock your device, and it remembers everything else.
Don’t Use the Same Key for Every Door 🏠
This is the golden rule of digital safety. Even if you have a very strong password, don’t use it for every account.
If a hacker manages to get your password for a small gardening website, they will immediately try that same password on your bank account and your email. If you use different passphrases for each, they will be stuck!
Taking a few minutes to update your most important accounts (like your email and your bank) with a long passphrase is the best gift you can give your digital security this year.
If you would like help setting up your password manager or want to practice creating a strong passphrase, our Sharks are always here to help!