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Create Strong and Memorable Passwords: 4 Simple Steps

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Jan Yuill
Jan Yuill

This document provides a 4-step process for creating strong and memorable passwords. Step 1 is to create a memorable base password using a true statement. Step 2 is to modify the base password by replacing letters with symbols and numbers. Step 3 is to add identifiers to the password for each individual account. Step 4 is to further strengthen the password by adding the year and month to indicate when it will be changed. Following these steps creates passwords that are both secure and easy to remember.

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How to Create Strong and Memorable Passwords 4 Simple Steps Jan Yuill
General Rules for Creating Strong Passwords • Use made-up words, not found in a dictionary. • Use a combination of letters (upper and lower case), numbers, and special characters. • The more characters you use, the better (at least 8). • Use unique passwords for each account. • Change passwords frequently.
Step 1 Create a memorable base password.
To create a memorable base password, choose a statement that is true for you.
It may be an expression or personal goal or quote...
… something like…
“I love my kids.” -or- “Let’s go to Disneyland.” -or- “To thine own self be true.”
Step 2 Now change the base password.
No.
Really mess it up.
Write your memorable statement on a piece of paper. We’ll use this one as an example… I love my kids.
Now play with …
I love my kids. 1<3MiKdz!Replace the word “I” with a “1.”
I love my kids. 1<3MiKdz! Replace the word “love” with its emoticon symbol “<3.” Yup. Typing a < followed by a 3 in a text message on your cell phone is transformed into a  Sweet.
I love my kids. 1<3MiKdz! Replace the word my with Mi.
I love my kids. 1<3MiKdz! Replace the word kids with Kdz.
I love my kids. 1<3MiKdz! Replace the period with an exclamation mark.
This is a strong base password. 1<3MiKdz! You’re not going to find it in any dictionary!
Use letters, numbers, symbols, and punctuation to replace the actual spelling and appearance of your memorable phrase.
But don’t change it so much that you forget what it is! Keep it memorable.
Step 3 Now add identifiers for each account that needs a password.
You might add a prefix: • “fb” for your Facebook account; • “tw” for your Twitter account; and • “bk” for your online banking like this…
fb1<3MiKdz! tw1<3MiKdz! bk1<3MiKdz!for your bank for Twitter for Facebook
The password for each account contains the same core, but has a unique identifier.
Step 4 Now add a date identifier.
Decide when you will change your passwords. Annually? Quarterly? Monthly?
For example, if you plan to change your passwords quarterly, you may add the year and month to your password...
forFacebook f b 1 < 3 M i Kd z ! 1 4 a p forTwitter t w 1 < 3 M i Kd z ! 1 4 j u foryourBank b k 1 < 3 M i Kd z ! 1 4 o c 14 is for the year 2014 and ap is for the month of April oc for October ju is for July
This is an example of a very simple pattern. Make your pattern something not easily guessed by someone else.
And finally…
Some people recommend using a password manager, like… LastPass 1Password Roboform
I’m not one of them… yet.
Others recommend never writing your passwords down.
I’m not one of them either.
In fact, if something were to happen to you, how would anyone know what to do with your accounts?
I recommend that you: • Write or print the password details for each of your accounts. • Keep them in a secure place (with your will perhaps) where your executor can find them. • Don’t share your passwords with anyone. • Avoid logging in to public computers. (Always clear the browsing history, if you do.) • Replace your weak passwords with your new strong and memorable ones ASAP!
These are some good articles about creating strong and memorable passwords: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/create-secure-passwords-keep-your-identity-safe http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2008/06/the-ultimate-guide-for-creating-strong-passwords/ http://safeandsavvy.f-secure.com/2010/03/15/how-to-create-and-remember-strong-passwords/ http://wolfram.org/writing/howto/password.html
Jan Yuill Thank you, Sippanont Samchai for the use of your photo.

More Related Content

Create Strong and Memorable Passwords: 4 Simple Steps

  • 1. How to Create Strong and Memorable Passwords 4 Simple Steps Jan Yuill
  • 2. General Rules for Creating Strong Passwords • Use made-up words, not found in a dictionary. • Use a combination of letters (upper and lower case), numbers, and special characters. • The more characters you use, the better (at least 8). • Use unique passwords for each account. • Change passwords frequently.
  • 4. To create a memorable base password, choose a statement that is true for you.
  • 5. It may be an expression or personal goal or quote...
  • 7. “I love my kids.” -or- “Let’s go to Disneyland.” -or- “To thine own self be true.”
  • 8. Step 2 Now change the base password.
  • 9. No.
  • 11. Write your memorable statement on a piece of paper. We’ll use this one as an example… I love my kids.
  • 13. I love my kids. 1<3MiKdz!Replace the word “I” with a “1.”
  • 14. I love my kids. 1<3MiKdz! Replace the word “love” with its emoticon symbol “<3.” Yup. Typing a < followed by a 3 in a text message on your cell phone is transformed into a  Sweet.
  • 15. I love my kids. 1<3MiKdz! Replace the word my with Mi.
  • 16. I love my kids. 1<3MiKdz! Replace the word kids with Kdz.
  • 17. I love my kids. 1<3MiKdz! Replace the period with an exclamation mark.
  • 18. This is a strong base password. 1<3MiKdz! You’re not going to find it in any dictionary!
  • 19. Use letters, numbers, symbols, and punctuation to replace the actual spelling and appearance of your memorable phrase.
  • 20. But don’t change it so much that you forget what it is! Keep it memorable.
  • 21. Step 3 Now add identifiers for each account that needs a password.
  • 22. You might add a prefix: • “fb” for your Facebook account; • “tw” for your Twitter account; and • “bk” for your online banking like this…
  • 24. The password for each account contains the same core, but has a unique identifier.
  • 25. Step 4 Now add a date identifier.
  • 26. Decide when you will change your passwords. Annually? Quarterly? Monthly?
  • 27. For example, if you plan to change your passwords quarterly, you may add the year and month to your password...
  • 28. forFacebook f b 1 < 3 M i Kd z ! 1 4 a p forTwitter t w 1 < 3 M i Kd z ! 1 4 j u foryourBank b k 1 < 3 M i Kd z ! 1 4 o c 14 is for the year 2014 and ap is for the month of April oc for October ju is for July
  • 29. This is an example of a very simple pattern. Make your pattern something not easily guessed by someone else.
  • 31. Some people recommend using a password manager, like… LastPass 1Password Roboform
  • 32. I’m not one of them… yet.
  • 33. Others recommend never writing your passwords down.
  • 34. I’m not one of them either.
  • 35. In fact, if something were to happen to you, how would anyone know what to do with your accounts?
  • 36. I recommend that you: • Write or print the password details for each of your accounts. • Keep them in a secure place (with your will perhaps) where your executor can find them. • Don’t share your passwords with anyone. • Avoid logging in to public computers. (Always clear the browsing history, if you do.) • Replace your weak passwords with your new strong and memorable ones ASAP!
  • 37. These are some good articles about creating strong and memorable passwords: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/create-secure-passwords-keep-your-identity-safe http://www.thegeekstuff.com/2008/06/the-ultimate-guide-for-creating-strong-passwords/ http://safeandsavvy.f-secure.com/2010/03/15/how-to-create-and-remember-strong-passwords/ http://wolfram.org/writing/howto/password.html
  • 38. Jan Yuill Thank you, Sippanont Samchai for the use of your photo.