Creating a strong, memorable, and secure password is one of the best ways to protect your online identity. According to security best practices, here are five easy ways to create a strong access password:
Use a Passphrase (Longer is Stronger)Instead of a single complex word, string together 4–7 random, unrelated words to create a long passphrase (e.g., HorsePurpleHatRunBay). Length is often more important than complexity for security, so aim for at least 16 characters.
Combine Uppercase, Lowercase, Numbers, and SymbolsEnsure your password or passphrase includes a mix of character types. Replace letters with symbols or numbers to increase complexity (e.g., H0rsePurpl3HatRun!).
Utilize Password ManagersUse a password manager to generate and securely store complex, random passwords (e.g., cXmnZK65rf*&DaaD) for every site, so you don’t have to memorize them.
Create a Unique “Seed” FormulaCreate a base sentence you can remember and adapt it for each site. For example, for Amazon, you could use A#m@z0n!Phrase2026.
Avoid Personal Information and Common WordsNever use birthdays, pet names, addresses, or simple sequences like “123456.” Hackers often use automated tools that guess these common, personal details first.
This video provides a practical example of how to create a strong password: Creating a Strong Password Alltek Services YouTube · Nov 11, 2024
For maximum security, you should also ensure you have multi-factor authentication (MFA) or biometrics turned on for your most important accounts. If you’d like, I can: Suggest tools to test your current password strength. Recommend popular password managers to start using.
Explain how to turn on multi-factor authentication for common sites (like Google or Facebook). Let me know if any of these would be helpful! Use Strong Passwords | CISA