Create strong passwords. Length, complexity, and what to avoid
Strong passwords protect your accounts from brute-force attacks and credential stuffing. Weak or reused passwords are a major cause of account takeovers. A password generator creates random, high-entropy passwords that are difficult to guess. This guide covers best practices for generating and using secure passwords.
Longer passwords are exponentially harder to crack. Aim for at least 12 characters; 16 or more is better for sensitive accounts. Each additional character greatly increases the number of possible combinations. A 12-character password with mixed case, numbers, and symbols has billions of possibilities.
Include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols when the site allows. This increases entropy and makes brute-force attacks slower. Some sites restrict certain symbols—use what's permitted. Avoid predictable patterns like "Password1!" or "Summer2025".
Dictionary words: attackers use word lists. Random characters are safer. Personal info: names, birthdays, addresses are easy to guess. Reusing passwords: if one site is breached, all accounts with that password are at risk. Use a unique password for each account. Writing passwords down in plain text: use a password manager instead.
Password managers generate strong passwords and store them securely. You only need to remember one master password. Enable two-factor authentication on your password manager and critical accounts for an extra layer of security.