Updating your password frequently is strongly recommended. Using a passphrase is the best approach to create a password with enough charactors to make it harder to crack
Why Use Passphrases Instead of Passwords?
Traditional passwords are vulnerable to brute-force attacks, where hackers try all possible combinations to guess the password. Increasing password complexity by adding special characters and numbers makes them harder to remember, often leading users to create predictable patterns that attackers can easily exploit.
Why Passphrases Are Better
Passphrases offer a more secure and memorable alternative. A 16-character passphrase using only lowercase letters would take up to 2 years with current technologies to crack. This makes passphrases exponentially more difficult to break than shorter, complex passwords.
What is a Passphrase?
A passphrase is a sequence of unrelated words combined to create a longer and more secure password. Unlike short, complex passwords (e.g., P@ssw0rd123), passphrases like "PurpleElephantSingsAtDawn" are easier to remember but much harder for attackers to crack.
How to Create a Strong Passphrase
Use unrelated words: Pick four or more random, unrelated words (e.g., LemonCactusRocketWhisper).
Aim for length: At least 16 characters, but ideally 20+ for maximum security.
Avoid predictable phrases: Don’t use famous quotes, song lyrics, or phrases from books.
Optional complexity: Adding uppercase letters, numbers, or symbols can further strengthen the passphrase but may make it harder to remember.
Examples of Strong Passphrases:
GreenTigerSingsAtMidnight
DancingFoxOnCloudNine
PirateEatsLemonUnderMoon
Best Practices for Managing Passphrases:
Use a password manager: Securely store and organize multiple passphrases.
Avoid reuse: Never use the same passphrase across different accounts.
Update regularly: Change passphrases periodically and after security breaches.
Enable Multifactor Authentication: Add an extra layer of security by requiring multi-factor authentication.
Passphrases provide a strong, user-friendly solution to protect sensitive information while being easier for employees to remember.