Password Strength
According to the Microsoft Password checker, “A strong password should appear to be a random string of characters to an attacker. It should be 14 characters or longer, (eight characters or longer at a minimum). It should include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.” p00p is Weak, PassamaquoddY is Medium, H0m3rJSimps0n is Strong, and iForg0tmyPa55w0rd is Best. That's the problem with passwords – the longer they are, the more likely you are to forget 'em when you need 'em.
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5 Comments
Scott K.
March 29th, 2006
at 11:49am
I like to use a public and private key kind of thing. I use a secret set of characters and then append something neumonic from the site or system involved.
And if you ever need something really random and strong use Steve Gibson's site
Anonymous
March 29th, 2006
at 12:42pm
I've recently subscribed to the idea of pass-phrases instead of passwords.
Something like: “Have a nice day.” will be much easier for me to remember, and will pass most password strength checkers.
Also, I can use it to reinforce certain things… meaning, if I am looking to improve on certain skills, I can use my password to remind me to do that.
Recently, Ive been learning how to speak better in public, and one the biggest things for me is saying “uh” and “um”. I can create a password that reflects the desired behaviour and everytime I type it, Im reminded of it.
Just my $.02.
Anonymous
March 29th, 2006
at 5:52pm
A nonsensical pass phrase is both quite secure and generally easy to remember. For example:
engineer stellar geek
It's long enough and you can play with the spacing or add a extra character to muck with dictionary attacks.
Polizeros
March 30th, 2006
at 8:33am
http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/
Originally created by Bruce Schneier. EZ to use, powerful. Stores passwords, will create them too, if you want.
Anonymous
April 8th, 2006
at 4:16am
The best way I have found to create easily remembered and relative strong passwords is to use a combination of a name plus a year (i.e. stewart1937) and then create a mnemonic to remember it – simple, strong and (if you create the right mnemonic) easily remembered.