Creating a Stronger Password
Tips for creating strong passwords and passphrases
A password is a string of characters used to access information or a computer. Passphrases are typically longer than passwords, for added security, and contain multiple words that create a phrase. Passwords and passphrases help prevent unauthorized people from accessing files, programs, and other resources. When you create a password or passphrase, you should make it strong, which means it's difficult to guess or crack. It's a good idea to use strong passwords on all user accounts on your computer. If you're using a workplace network, your network administrator might require you to use a strong password.
Note
· In wireless networking, a Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security key supports the use of a passphrase. This passphrase is converted into a key that is used for encryption, which is not visible to you. For more information about WPA security keys, see What are the different wireless network security methods?[->0]
What makes a password or passphrase strong?
A strong password: |A strong passphrase: |
· Is at least eight characters long.· Does not contain your user name, real name, or company name.· Does not contain a complete word.· Is significantly different from previous passwords.|· Is 20 to 30 characters long.· Is a series of words that create a phrase.· Does not contain common phrases found in literature or music.· Does not contain words found in the dictionary.· Does not contain your user name, real name, or company name.· Is significantly different from previous passwords or passphrases.|
Strong passwords and passphrases contain characters from each of the following four categories:
Character category|Examples|
Uppercase letters|A, B, C|
Lowercase letters|a, b, c|
Numbers|0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
Symbols found on the keyboard (all keyboard characters not defined as letters or numerals) and spaces|` ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ - + = { } [ ] \ | : ; " ' < > , . ? /|
A password or
A password is a string of characters used to access information or a computer. Passphrases are typically longer than passwords, for added security, and contain multiple words that create a phrase. Passwords and passphrases help prevent unauthorized people from accessing files, programs, and other resources. When you create a password or passphrase, you should make it strong, which means it's difficult to guess or crack. It's a good idea to use strong passwords on all user accounts on your computer. If you're using a workplace network, your network administrator might require you to use a strong password.
Note
· In wireless networking, a Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security key supports the use of a passphrase. This passphrase is converted into a key that is used for encryption, which is not visible to you. For more information about WPA security keys, see What are the different wireless network security methods?[->0]
What makes a password or passphrase strong?
A strong password: |A strong passphrase: |
· Is at least eight characters long.· Does not contain your user name, real name, or company name.· Does not contain a complete word.· Is significantly different from previous passwords.|· Is 20 to 30 characters long.· Is a series of words that create a phrase.· Does not contain common phrases found in literature or music.· Does not contain words found in the dictionary.· Does not contain your user name, real name, or company name.· Is significantly different from previous passwords or passphrases.|
Strong passwords and passphrases contain characters from each of the following four categories:
Character category|Examples|
Uppercase letters|A, B, C|
Lowercase letters|a, b, c|
Numbers|0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
Symbols found on the keyboard (all keyboard characters not defined as letters or numerals) and spaces|` ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ - + = { } [ ] \ | : ; " ' < > , . ? /|
A password or