What makes a password strong?
A strong password has three properties: it is long (12+ characters), it is random (not based on words or patterns), and it uses a mix of character types (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols).
A 16-character random password using all character types has approximately 95^16 = 44 quadrillion possible combinations — effectively uncrackable with current hardware.
Password security tips
- Use a unique password for every account. If one site is breached, your other accounts remain safe.
- Use a password manager. Tools like Bitwarden (free), 1Password, or Dashlane store and autofill your passwords so you only need to remember one master password.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Even if someone gets your password, they cannot log in without the second factor.
- Never reuse passwords. Password reuse is the #1 cause of account takeovers.