How to Create a Strong and Unique Password

How to Create a Strong and Unique Password

I think over the past few years we, as a population, have heard “create a strong and unique password” so many times that we are numb to it, much like hearing a car alarm sounding in a crowded parking lot. You may look over, mumble that it’s annoying, but that’s usually about it; police are hardly ever called.

How to Create a Strong and Unique PasswordLike the car alarm, when used correctly, the password, too, is a very important security tool. In fact, there is an art to creating a password:

Step 1: Think of at least a 12-character password or longer. (How in the world are you going to remember that?!)

Step 2: Avoid names, places and dictionary words. (What’s left?!)

Step 3: Blend it all together by using variations of upper and lowercase letters, spelling, numbers, punctuation and special characters. (Too much trouble!)

Here’s an example using this password method: bre7E$ret98:!aZ

(Warning: Do NOT use this as your password; it’s NOT unique!)

Super simple to remember, right? Especially when security experts recommend that each and every one of our accounts should have a different password.

I don’t know about you, but I’m already frustrated, like fist-banging-on-desk, brain-exploding, give-up-and-just-use-1234-as-a-password frustrated! This is where password managers come in to save our sanity! Simply put, a password manager is a piece of software that organizes passwords and PINs via a file that stores and encrypts all the data. The software may also work as a form filler, automatically inserting user names and password data into forms. The only requirement for you is to remember ONE complex password, called the master password. Easy!

Coming tomorrow, July 11, 2014, will be 7 password manager Apps for Android and iOS that includes the number of stars, reviews, my opinion and a detailed description of each! You won’t want to miss this!

Until then, here's a tip: When shopping for the best password manager, keep in mind that 256-bit encryption, which is military-grade, is the highest available at this time.

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • An Inside Look From Napco at ISC West

    Get a look into the excitement at ISC West 2025 from Napco. Hear from some of their top-tech executives live from the show floor. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • Upping the Ante

    I am not a betting man in terms of cards, dice, blackjack or that wheel with the black marble racing around the circumference of a spinning wheel, but I would bet on the success of ISC West this year. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • It's Show Time

    I am one of those people that likes to see things get bigger and better. As advertised, ISC West is going to be bigger (more exhibitors) and better (more attendees). It’s show time in Las Vegas. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • SIA Releases New Report on Operational Security Technology

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released an impactful new resource – Operational Security Technology: Principles, Challenges and Achieving Mission-Critical Outcomes Leveraging OST. Read Now

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.