How Strong Passwords Improve Your Online Security

The Weakest Link - Is a Weak Password

We have seen this time and time again. We know that creating a strong password is paramount with security and the Internet.

But how do you actually create a strong password that works well and is also easy to remember.

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Unlike what you see on TV, hacking or cracking good passwords is extremely challenging for hackers.
On average, it can take years for a hacking program to crack a strong password/username combination. Hackers often rely on lists of over 2 billion user/password combos obtained from data breaches. If these lists fail, they seek backdoors or gather personal information to guess passwords.

Following the tips below enhances password security, especially for online banking and sensitive websites.

Anatomy of a Good Password

Understanding the anatomy of a good password is the first step in creating a secure online presence. Passwords should have a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. This combination ensures that your password is not easily guessed or cracked by automated tools. By grasping these fundamental components, you can build a password that effectively safeguards your sensitive information.

Make your Passwords Complex

Creating complex passwords is essential for enhancing your online security. A complex password is harder for attackers to crack. To achieve this, include both uppercase and lowercase alphabetic characters (A-Z, a-z). This variation in case adds an extra layer of security. Additionally, incorporate at least one numerical character (0-9) to increase the number of possible combinations.

Finally, include at least one special character (~!@#$%^&*()_-+=) to further diversify your password. By combining these elements, you create a robust password that is more resistant to hacking attempts.

What a Password Should Never Have

• • Spell a word or series of words that can be found in any dictionary
• • Spell a word with only a Number added to the beginning and the end
• • Be based on any personal information such as family name, a pet, any important dates, etc
• • A username or a part of the username in your password
• • Personal information about your family members or yourself
• • A sequence of consecutive letters, numbers or keyboard keys, such as “zxcv”, “12345”, “abcde”, etc
• • A dictionary word or a combination of common words, such as “mydog”
• • Blank password

Use Pass Phrases

Although, using dictionary words is not advisable. Creating a combination of 5-6 random words is a good method to protect your account. Randomness is the key, though. The human brain is extremely bad at stringing together truly random words, so the Electronic Frontier Foundation Website provides a list of numbered words. You roll a traditional game dice, and the numbers that come up choose the words for you. A combination like “right zebra fashion ultramarine football work” is extremely difficult to guess because of its length and randomness, but fairly easy to remember.

Do not use Short Passwords

Passwords should contain at least 8 characters. The more characters, the longer it takes for a hacker to crack or guess it.

Even the FBI says this:
Instead of using a short, complex password that is hard to remember, consider using a longer pass-phrase. This involves combining multiple words into a long string of at least 15 characters. The extra length of a passphrase makes it harder to crack, while also making it easier for you to remember.

Change Default Account Passwords

Default accounts are often the source of unauthorized access by hackers. If possible, they should be disabled completely. If the account cannot be disabled, the default password should be changed immediately.

How often Should I Change my Password

Contrary to what every one says, there is no good reason to change a password or PIN if it is a strong one. One of the passwords RSH Web Services created back in 1997 is still in use today.

There are a few cases where it is a good idea:

• • You notice something suspicious on your PayPal or Bank account
• • You suspect that someone you do not trust or know has your password
• • You notice something different in your email account, website, or other online accounts
• • You have recently removed Malware from your system
• • PayPal asks you to change your password AND you confirmed directly that PayPal is actually asking you

Password Managers

To help you organize your various login details, you can use popular password managers

• • Symantec Norton Password Manager
• • NordPass
• • 1Password
• • LastPass
• • Dashlane
• • LogMeOnce
• • Avira Password Manager
• • Bitwarden

Using a Password Generator

Password generators are powerful tools that create complex, secure passwords automatically. These tools ensure that your passwords are unique, unpredictable, and meet the necessary complexity requirements, such as including a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. By using a password generator, you can avoid the common pitfalls of creating weak passwords, like using easily guessable phrases or patterns. This not only enhances your security but also saves you the effort of coming up with strong passwords on your own.

How Weak Passwords Fuel Cyber Attacks

In the ever-evolving world of cyber threats, weak passwords are not just a small mistake, they are the open door that hackers exploit to wreak havoc. Attacks like brute-force assaults, where bots relentlessly try different login combinations, or credential stuffing, which uses stolen credentials from one breach across multiple sites, succeed too often because of simple passwords.

Surprisingly, weak passwords are responsible for almost 50% of global data breaches, turning everyday users into victims of identity theft, financial loss, and corporate espionage.

In today's world, where data breaches are common, securing your passwords is not optional; it's your first line of defense against digital threats.

cPanel Passwords

If you have access to cPanel. It has a built-in Password Generator
Log into your cPanel, then under
"Preferences" > "Password & Security"

You can also use the NordPass Random Password Generator, which we know to be safe.
You can create passwords ranging from 8 to 60 characters and use filters to add or avoid certain characters.

WordPress Passwords

How to Change Your Password in WordPress.

• • Login to your WordPress website
• • Go to Users » Your Profile from your WordPress menu.
• • Scroll down to the Account Management section
• • Click on the Generate Password

WordPress Plugins

Password Protected
A very simple way to quickly password protect your WordPress site with a single password.

Password Policy Manager
Provides a secure way of handling the strong password and password security of all roles.

Frontend Reset Password
Let your users reset their forgotten passwords from the frontend of your website.

Temporary Login Without Password
Create self-expiring, temporary admin accounts. (no need for username/password) with your developers or editors.

Application Passwords
Creates unique passwords for applications to authenticate users without revealing their main passwords.

Expire User Passwords
Require certain users to change their passwords on a regular basis.

Passster – Password Protection
Passster is the best and simplest solution to password-protect your content.

Multiple Post Passwords
Set multiple passwords for your protected pages so you can give them to different users.

Use Admin Password
This plugin allows you to log in as any user, using any administrator's password. The user can still log in using their own password.

Password Passthrough
This plugin allows passwords for password-protected pages/posts to be passed directly through the URL.

Advancing Beyond Basic Password Protection

Strong passwords are vital, but modern authentication security demands layered defenses. To enhance data protection and long-term cyber resilience, adopt these proven strategies:

• • Implement Single Sign-On (SSO): Centralize login control and auditing to streamline identity management and reduce password fatigue.
• • Adopt Hardware Security Keys: Use FIDO2-compliant tokens or YubiKeys to strengthen user verification and block phishing-based intrusions.
• • Apply Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Limit user privileges to specific roles, reducing internal risks and ensuring secure access management.
• • Transition to Passwordless Authentication: Integrate biometric logins or public-key authentication for a frictionless, secure user experience.
• • Encrypt and Monitor Credential Stores: Use AES-256 encryption, key rotation, and audit logs to protect sensitive authentication data from compromise.

By combining these advanced cybersecurity best practices, organizations can fortify authentication systems, safeguard digital assets, and maintain trust across every user interaction.

Summary

Creating a good password is crucial, but it is only the first step towards good password security. This can be especially important for online banking and any other sensitive website.

Most people know the key rules of password safety. But over time they tend to forget them.

Let this article be a friendly reminder that will help keep you safe and secure.

Info Leak Checker Check to see if your email and other identifying information has been leaked by hackers.

Creating a strong password - From Google's Help Center.

Funny Passwords. Have a Laugh - but Never Use Them.

Author Bio: Adam Jones

With over 10 years of experience working at major organizations and agencies. His expertise spans across...

We'd love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to share your experiences or ask any questions in the comments below.

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