Create Strong Passwords

This page brings together expert advice from Safety Detectives and All Things Secured on how to create strong, memorable, and secure passwords for your online accounts. Learn how to strengthen your security habits and keep your data safe.

Video 1 — Safety Detectives: Password Protection Basics

Significance of Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are essential for keeping your accounts secure. They combine uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to protect against brute-force and dictionary attacks.

Password Composition

Avoid predictable patterns and common phrases. Mixing different character types makes your password exponentially stronger. Example: P@ssw0rd!23.

Using the Password Meter Tool

Tools like the Safety Detectives Password Meter help test password strength and customize settings such as length, character variety, and ambiguity filtering.

Benefits of Password Managers

Use password managers like 1Password, Keeper, or Dashlane to securely store and autofill passwords while providing breach alerts and dark web monitoring.

Final Security Recommendations

Always use unique passwords per service, avoid reusing them, and enable two-factor authentication where possible. Combining strong passwords with a manager provides the best defense.

Video 2 — All Things Secured: How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Remember

Josh from All Things Secured shares a simple three-step method to create strong and memorable passwords while maintaining good password hygiene and regular updates.

Assess Current Passwords

Check if your passwords are longer than 12 characters, include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols, and are unique per account. If not, it’s time to strengthen them.

Establish a Password Creation Process

Adopt a consistent method — for example, using a line from a poem or song, modified with unique identifiers for each account. Avoid simple variations and leverage a password manager for extra security.

Secure Password Storage

Instead of writing passwords down, use a password manager to store and sync passwords across devices securely. Access them via a master password that only you know.

Systematic Password Updates

Start by updating passwords for sensitive accounts first, then move to less critical ones. Refresh them every six months to maintain security.

Sources:
Safety Detectives — “How to Create Strong Passwords and Secure Your Accounts”
All Things Secured — “How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Easily Remember (3 Strategies)”