Before we begin, we must be clear on one major
expectation: there is no such thing as a perfect password. A committed
hacker can crack any password, given enough time and the right
"dictionary" or "brute force" tools. But just like breaking into a car, if the protection is strong enough, the hacker will become discouraged and commonly give up before the protection fails.
A good password starts with a base word phrase. This means: choose a memorable catchphrase, quotation, or easy to remember saying, and take the first letter from each word. Choose a phrase that is memorable to you.
Examples of some base word phrases:
Passwords start to
become strong at 6 characters long. While a long password can be
annoying to type, a long password really helps to slow down brute force
hacker attacks.
Tip: lengthen your password by adding the website name or computer software name to the base phrase. For example:
Tech tip: passwords
that are 15 characters and more are extremely strong, because Microsoft
Windows will not store scrambled passwords in hidden files once they
are 15 characters or longer.
Scrambling does not necessarily mean rearranging the letters. Rather, scrambling your password can effectively be achieved by swapping one
or more of the password letters with a non-alphabetic character, and
then purposely including uppercase and lowercase letters within the
password. Scrambling creatively uses the shift key, punctuation
marks, the @ or % symbols, and even semi-colons and periods. Using
numbers as substitutes for letters is another strong scrambling
technique.
Examples of scrambling:
At
work, your network people will require you to change your password
every several days. At home, you should rotate your passwords as a
matter of good computer hygiene. If you are using different passwords for differents websites, you can do yourself a favor by rotating portions your passwords
every few weeks. Note that rotating parts of the password, not the
entire passwords, will help deter hackers from stealing your phrases. If
you can memorize three or more passwords at the same time, then you are
in good shape to resist brute force hacker attacks.
Examples:
expectation: there is no such thing as a perfect password. A committed
hacker can crack any password, given enough time and the right
"dictionary" or "brute force" tools. But just like breaking into a car, if the protection is strong enough, the hacker will become discouraged and commonly give up before the protection fails.
1. Start With a Base Word Phrase.
A good password starts with a base word phrase. This means: choose a memorable catchphrase, quotation, or easy to remember saying, and take the first letter from each word. Choose a phrase that is memorable to you.
Examples of some base word phrases:
- Can't See the Forest Through the Trees: cstfttt
- Put Up or Shut Up: puosu
- If the Shoe Fits, Wear It: itsfwi
- You Can Lead a Horse to Water: yclahtw
- The Last Mile Is Always Uphill: tlmiau
- I Think, Therefore I Am: ittia
- Oh Say Can You See: oscys
- My Dog Freeway Loves Cheddar Cheese: mdflcc
2. Lengthen the Phrase
Passwords start to
become strong at 6 characters long. While a long password can be
annoying to type, a long password really helps to slow down brute force
hacker attacks.
Tip: lengthen your password by adding the website name or computer software name to the base phrase. For example:
- cstftttGmail
- puosuVista
- itsfwiEpinions
- yclahtwWin7
- tlmiauMac
- ittiaAboutdotcom
- oscysPayPal
- mdflccEbay
Tech tip: passwords
that are 15 characters and more are extremely strong, because Microsoft
Windows will not store scrambled passwords in hidden files once they
are 15 characters or longer.
3. Scramble the Phrase
Scrambling does not necessarily mean rearranging the letters. Rather, scrambling your password can effectively be achieved by swapping one
or more of the password letters with a non-alphabetic character, and
then purposely including uppercase and lowercase letters within the
password. Scrambling creatively uses the shift key, punctuation
marks, the @ or % symbols, and even semi-colons and periods. Using
numbers as substitutes for letters is another strong scrambling
technique.
Examples of scrambling:
- CstftttGm@il
- Puo5uVista
- 1tsfwiEpinions
- Ycl@htwWin7
- 7lmiauMac
- ittiaAboutdotcom
- o5cysPayPal
- mdfl((Ebay
4. Lastly: Rotate/Change Your Password Regularly
At
work, your network people will require you to change your password
every several days. At home, you should rotate your passwords as a
matter of good computer hygiene. If you are using different passwords for differents websites, you can do yourself a favor by rotating portions your passwords
every few weeks. Note that rotating parts of the password, not the
entire passwords, will help deter hackers from stealing your phrases. If
you can memorize three or more passwords at the same time, then you are
in good shape to resist brute force hacker attacks.
Examples:
- mdfl((Gmail
- CstftttVista
- Puo5uEpinions
- 1tsfwiWin7
- Ycl@htwMac
- 7lmiauAboutdotcom
- ittiaPayPal
- o5cysEBay
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