In today’s digital world, passwords are arguably the most important line of defence between your sensitive information and potential cyber threats. However, many people are still using unsecure, easily guessable passwords, putting themselves at risk of hacking, data breaches, and identity theft. So how can you make sure your passwords are secure, safe and stand the test of time.

Why Does a Strong Password Matter?

Every year, hackers develop more and more sophisticated ways to crack passwords. Weak passwords make it even easier for hackers to access your accounts, personal data, and financial information. And once a hacker has access to one of your accounts, they’ll often have access far more, simply by using the same password email address and password. This is known as Credential Stuffing and is the main reason why having different passwords for different accounts is so important. By creating complex and unique passwords for your accounts, you can make it more challenging for hackers to exploit your information.

What Makes a Strong Password

There are several ways you can make your passwords stronger and harder for others to guess, here’s some of the most common and most effective ways:

Number of Characters

It might go without saying, but the longer the password, the harder it is to crack. Most sights now require a minimum of eight characters however we’d recommend at least twelve to make your password secure and harder to guess.

Mixture of Uppercase and Lowercase Letters

Frequent variation in the letter case is a simple but effective way of making your password more complex and harder to guess, even if the word itself is more prodictible.

Numbers and Special Characters

Adding symbols and numbers to your password, either in between letters or instead of them, for example using @ instead of A, will help to strengthen your password and make it harder for others to guess.

Avoid Common Words, Phrases and Simple Patterns

Passwords like "password1" or your date of birth may be easier to remember but they’re also far easier for others to guess.

Unique Passwords

Using the same password across multiple accounts may give you less to try and remember however it’s also incredibly risky as if someone guesses your password, they’ll have gained access to multiple accounts.

Top Tips for Creating Strong Passwords

So if that’s what makes a strong password, how can you come up with one that ticks those boxes but that you’ll also still be able to remember after a few minutes.

Use Passphrases Instead of Simple Words

A passphrase is a sequence of words or a sentence that’s easy to remember but hard to guess. Think of a sentence that might have some significance to you like “I Love Autumn 2024!” and add some variation, such as adding capitals or replacing letters with numbers and special characters, for example "IL0v3@utumn2024!".

Passphrases are a good choice as they’re much stronger and harder to guess then a single word however remain easy to remember.

Avoid Personal Information

One of the most common password mistakes is to use easily guessable information such as your name, date of birth or the name of a pet/family member. Hackers are able to find this information through social media or public records and will use them when trying to guess your password. Instead, try using random words or phrases that have personal meaning to you but are not directly connected to your life or easy for others to discover.

Don’t Use Sequences or Predictable Patterns

Passwords like 12345, abcdef or qwerty are often a hackers first guess when trying to break into an account. Random sequences are more secure however can also be harder to remember. By adding a less common but still memorable pattern onto a word or phrase, for example Autumn235711, can make your password harder to guess whilst still memorable.

Mix Up Symbols, Numbers, and Letters

The best passwords are an unpredictable combination of symbols, numbers and letters. One of the best ways of doing this is by substituting letters for numbers or symbols. This will make your password significantly more secure whilst still memorable.

Use a Password Manager

One of the most effective ways to manage strong passwords is with a password manager. Password managers generate, store, and organize your passwords for you, so you only need to remember one master password.

Password managers not only help you store unique passwords for each account but also often have additional features, like password health checks and auto-fill capabilities.

Two-Factor Authentication

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security, requiring two forms of identification to access your account. Typically, you enter your password and then a secondary code sent to your mobile device or email. This means that if someone manages to obtain your password, they would still need access to your second device to gain entry.

Whilst Two-Factor Authentication is fare more secure, it can also be inconvenient, especially if it’s an account you log into frequently. This is why 2FA tends to be used more for important accounts with sensitive information, requiring a higher level of security.

Changing Passwords Regularly

Regularly updating your passwords reduces the risk of compromise, even if a password has already been leaked in a data breach. A good rule of thumb is to change your passwords every 3 to 6 months, especially for sensitive accounts like banking or social media.

Creating and managing strong passwords is one of the best ways to protect your accounts and personal data from cyber threats. By using long passphrases, avoiding personal information, incorporating a mix of symbols and numbers, and regularly updating passwords, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to hacking attempts. With a proactive approach to password security, you can keep your digital life safe and secure.