In an age where digital security is paramount, we’ve gathered seven effective strategies from cybersecurity experts and business leaders to fortify your password protection. From crafting passwords out of favorite texts to securely writing down complex passwords, discover the diverse tactics recommended by our personal cybersecurity expert and managing director.
- Craft Passwords from Favorite Texts
- Create a Nonsensical Passphrase
- Combine Random Words and Characters
- Use Positive Affirmations with Symbols
- Update Passwords Regularly and Avoid Accessible Info
- Remember with Password Managers
- Write Down Complex Passwords Securely
Craft Passwords from Favorite Texts
Use the first letters of each word of a piece of text you enjoy; it can be lyrics to a song, a poem, a quote, or scripture. This will give you upper- and lowercase text.
You then need to add some extra characters and numbers. You can add them or swap them. For example, $ can replace ‘s’, 8 can replace ‘B’, 0 can replace ‘o’, etc. This makes for a random-looking password that is easy to remember. Using a password manager or another random or pseudo-random method is probably the most secure, but using this method is a great way to create a complex and memorable password.
James Wilson
Personal Cybersecurity Expert, My Data Removal
Create a Nonsensical Passphrase
Sure thing! Here’s my go-to strategy: Think passphrase, not password. Create a base of a random, nonsensical sentence. Unique and memorable, yet complex.
For example, ‘GreenTurtlesFlyMonday!’ It’s long, includes numbers, symbols, upper and lower case. Hard to crack, easy to remember.
Key tip? Swap out letters for similar-looking numbers and symbols. Like ‘E’ becomes ‘3’, ‘A’ turns into ‘@’. Adds an extra layer of security. Keep your digital life locked tight!
Casey Jones
Founder, Head of Marketing, CJ&CO
Combine Random Words and Characters
One strategy I recommend for creating strong and secure passwords is to use a combination of random words, numbers, and special characters. For example, you can take a phrase that is meaningful to you, such as ‘Ilovetraveling2022!’ and use it as a base for your password.
Then, you can add additional layers of complexity by replacing certain letters with numbers or special characters, or by mixing in unrelated words. This approach creates a password that is easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess or crack. It’s a method I’ve been using for many years, and it works well for me.
Tom Molnar
Operation & SEO Manager, Fit Design
Use Positive Affirmations with Symbols
A memorable strategy for creating strong and secure passwords is to combine a positive, short affirmation with numbers and symbols. This approach not only ensures your password is unique and difficult to guess, but also provides you with positive reinforcement each time you use it.
By incorporating affirmations into your passwords, you’re less likely to forget them and more likely to feel good regularly, enhancing both your digital security and your daily mindset. Win-win!
Myriam Tisler
Business Improvement Consultant & Writer, myriamtisler.com
Update Passwords Regularly and Avoid Accessible Info
Create strong passwords by using a passphrase with unrelated words, numbers, and special characters. Incorporate personal, yet unguessable, elements and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters. Regularly update passwords and avoid easily accessible information.
Additionally, enhance security by using password-manager apps, which generate and store complex, unique passwords for each account, offering encryption and multi-factor authentication features for added protection. Integrating these apps streamlines the management of secure credentials across platforms.
Aleksey Pshenichniy
Chief R&D Officer, Elai.io
Remember with Password Managers
Creating a secure password with letters, numbers, and symbols is relatively straightforward, but the challenge lies in remembering it. This difficulty often leads people to opt for easily memorable passwords, exposing them to the risk of hacking.
Using a password manager is my number one tip for creating a robust password. It doesn’t just create the password; it also takes on the responsibility of remembering it for you.
When you revisit the login screen of any app or website, your password manager effortlessly auto-fills your credentials. This stands out as one of the most secure methods of safeguarding your login details.
Craig Bird
Managing Director, CloudTech24
Write Down Complex Passwords Securely
One effective strategy I employ for crafting strong and secure passwords is to generate complex passwords that are difficult for anyone to guess, including myself.
To ensure I don’t forget them, I jot down the passwords in a physical notebook. Then, for redundancy and to safeguard against the loss of the notebook, I take a picture of the written page and store it securely on external drives. This practice balances robust security with retrievability.
David Rubie-Todd
Co-Founder & Marketing Head, Sticker It
