Create a strong password
A password might meet all the criteria above and still be a weak password. For example, Hello2U! meets all the criteria for a strong password listed above, but is still weak because it contains a complete word. H3ll0 2 U! is a stronger alternative because it replaces some of the letters in the complete word with numbers and also includes spaces.
Help yourself remember your strong password by following these tips:
- Create an acronym from an easy-to-remember piece of information. For example, pick a phrase that is meaningful to you, such as My son’s birthday is 12 December, 2004. Using that phrase as your guide, you might use Msbi12/Dec,4 for your password.
- Substitute numbers, symbols, and misspellings for letters or words in an easy-to-remember phrase. For example, My son’s birthday is 12 December, 2004 could become Mi$un’s Brthd8iz 12124 (it’s OK to use spaces in your password).
- Relate your password to a favorite hobby or sport. For example, I love to play badminton could become ILuv2PlayB@dm1nt()n.
How to create a strong password
If you feel you must write down your password in order to remember it, make sure you don’t label it as your password, and keep it in a safe place.
Strong passwords help prevent unauthorised people from accessing files, programs and other resources, and should be difficult to guess or crack. A good password:
Is at least eight characters long
Doesn’t contain your username, real name or company name
Doesn’t contain a complete word
Is significantly different from previous passwords
Contains upper-case letters, lower-case letters, numbers and symbols
Character category
Uppercase letters- such as A, B, C…
Lowercase letters – such as a, b, c…
Numbers – 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Symbols found on the keyboard (all keyboard characters not defined as letters or numerals) and spaces – ` ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ – + = { } [ ] \ | : ; ” ‘ < > , . ? /