Introduction
There are some claims that passwords can no longer meet its purpose of protecting sensitive information. However, users tend to use the same, simple passwords on their systems and note them down. Moreover, such passwords do not meet the minimum threshold required for password strength.
Some users have overstated the demise of the use of passwords. It is still the main security measure for protecting stored data, users’ accounts, PCs, networks, and any other information stored in smart devices.
A random assessment of millions of passwords will indicate that they cannot adequately serve their security functions because users tend to generate passwords from common words found in dictionaries or use sequential characters and symbols.
Although technologies have introduced new security measures such as biometric controls, the use of passwords will persist for several decades. This is a detailed outline of creating a secure password, which users can easily remember.
Creating a secure password
- No Personal Data
Do not use personal information to generate a password because any novice hacker can easily discover users’ names and related personal information.
- No actual words
Users should avoid the use of actual words that are found in the dictionary. Hackers can use software crackers to identify such passwords.
- Apply different character types
Most passwords are case-sensitive. Mixed characters with both lower and upper cases tend to enhance password strengths. Users should be creative and make passwords difficult to guess, e.g., “password” could be “pAsSwOrD”. Further, users could add or replace letters with special characters and figures to their passwords – “pA@#w1dR”.
- Adopt a Passphrase
Some hackers can still crack “pAsSwOrD” or “pA@#w1dR” by using software, which is able to detect changes and replacement in common words like ‘password’.
Instead, users can adapt their preferred quotes or lines and change them to passphrases. For instance, a person can take a phrase like “This machine has no brain! Use yours.” and change it to “Tmhnb! Uy.”. It has all the characters and cases. No one can find such a word in any dictionary, but a person can generate and remember it.
- Use complex passwords with password management tools
Users want simple passwords for ease of remembrance. However, such simple passwords are easy to crack. One can simply remember passwords like “qwerty” or “12345678” because of their order of appearance on the keyboard. However, it is difficult to remember “P&*36@#100%”.
A person could integrate password management tools for difficult passwords, which may not be simple to remember but with caution. Hackers may be able to crack the password management tool and gain access to all other passwords stored in it. Overall, such tools allow users to create stronger, complex passwords without the need to memorize them.
- Protect passwords
Users should not share their passwords with any other person. In case of any suspected breach, users should change their passwords immediately.
- Users should change passwords frequently
A person should change his or her password after a fortnight, one month, or two months based on preferences. It is advisable to change default passwords immediately or any standard passwords generated by the system.
Conclusion
The process of creating a secure password may look complex and inconvenient. However, one cannot compare that process to a security breach, crashed networks, or data theft. Following these simple steps could create safe passwords, and protecting them carefully could guarantee users’ security.