Passwords are keys to accessing your online accounts or your computer. Using strong passwords are vital in protecting your identity and stopping others from hijacking your account.

What is Password Strength?

Password strength is a measurement of the effectiveness of a password as an authentication credential. Specifically, it estimates how many trials an attacker who does not have direct access to the password would need, on average, to correctly guess it. The strength of a password is a function of length, complexity, and randomness.

Common guidelines for choosing a strong password:

• Include numbers, symbols, upper and lowercase letters.
• Password should be more than 8 characters long.
• Avoid any password based on repetition, dictionary words, letter or number sequences, usernames, relative or pet names or biographical information.

The Password Phrase method:

• Choose a phrase that has numbers.
• Use only the first letter in each word.
• Use the proper case for each letter, just as it appears in the phrase.
• Use actual numbers whenever possible.
• Include punctuation.

You can even use a phrase as the password if the system allows you to enter a phrase. For example the following phrase will make a strong password.