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A formula for secure passwords
How to create passwords that offer a realistic balance between
security and memorability
Generally speaking, secure passwords are not easy to remember and
memorable passwords are not very secure. The characteristics
that make passwords easy to remember are often the same characteristics
that make them easy targets for hackers.
Do this quick test:
Run a password through this easy password meter
and see how secure it is:
Password Meter
When a Web site requires you to log in using a password, it's
providing a layer of security for your personal or sensitive
information. You use your passwords believing that nobody else will
be able to guess them - and maybe they won't - but amateur
guesswork is not the only thing posing a threat to your security
online. Highly sophisticated password-guessing software and
inherent flaws in computer's operating systems are just two of the
things that can compromise your passwords in a heartbeat.
Given that no password is 100% foolproof, the challenge is to
create passwords that offer a realistic balance between
security and memorability.
The solution: devise a personal formula that enables you to have
a unique password for every Web site, while the formula itself stays
the same.
With a formula you can easily create passwords that are:
- Strong - to reduce hacking risks.
- Easy to remember - so you NEVER have to write them down or
store them.
- Easy to update - so you can change them if necessary.
A strong password contains a minimum of 10 characters
and should include letters, numbers, and a symbol.
So here's how you write a memorable, strong password:
- Think of a personal word that you know you'll remember.
Example, your favorite city: Denver.
- Reverse it: Revned (a capital letter provides extra
security).
- Add two numbers: 23
- Add a an asterisk, colon or question mark.
- Add two more numbers. (it's easier to remember if these numbers
follow on logically from the first two: 45
- Add the first letter of the site you'll be using the
password for:
i for iTunes; m for MySpace and so on. This means you
have a unique password for every site.
You'll end up with a password that looks a lot like this:
Revned23?45i.
What about changing your password from time to time?
Frequently changing your passwords is one way to help prevent
intrusions and protect your personal information. Problem is,
these days we have so many of them. A better solution —one that
you would be more inclined to actually do—is to create
strong passwords and change them only when you have reason to
believe it's necessary.
Changing your password doesn't mean changing your formula. But
it does mean you'll need to have a second variation of your
formula that you can default to when you think one of your
passwords may have been compromised. Simply repeat the formula
exercise again but
change your personal word. Example: Denver becomes
Milan
Writing your passwords down:
You can keep a spreadsheet on your computer (and a
backup off your computer) provided you never write
down the actual password -
just a reminder of which city or personal word you use for each site you
visit.
Spreadsheet example:
|
Website |
Password
Reminder |
|
FaceBook |
Milan
|
|
My Bank - personal |
Denver
|
|
My Bank - business |
Milan
|
Naturally this means you have to remember part of the
formula.
 If
necessary, write the formula - without
the personal word - on a piece of paper until
such time that it's entrenched in your brain. In the
unlikely event someone finds your paper and your
spreadsheet
—they'll never figure out how the two
relate.
Also: See how
our we can help you attract the kind of Web visitors you actually want -
the ones that become customers.
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