Password Management: Your Guide to Stronger, Safer Online Security

Managing passwords is a crucial part of staying safe online, but it can feel overwhelming. Here’s a practical guide to creating strong passwords, avoiding common pitfalls, and using tools to make your digital life easier and more secure.

How Can I Create a Strong Password?

We now refer to these as a 'Passphrase' an a strong one is your first line of defence against hackers. Here’s how to build one:

Make it long: Aim for at least 12 characters; longer is better.
Combine unrelated words into a phrase, then add numbers and symbols. For example, “HotChocolateOnRa1nyDays!” is much stronger than “HotChocolate”.
Mix it up: Use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Avoid personal info: Don’t use names, birthdays, or common words by themselves.
Add padding: Place extra symbols or numbers at the beginning or end to increase complexity.

Example: Instead of “Peter123”, try “PeterCr@vesTuna712” or, better yet, a random phrase like “G1impse$tuff74Prize8Koala!”.

Here is a table showing how long it takes to crack passwords of different lengths and complexities using brute force attacks, based on recent 2024–2025 data:

Password Length	Lowercase Only	Lower+Uppercase	+Numbers	+Numbers & Symbols
6 characters	<1 second	3–5 seconds	7 minutes	31 minutes
8 characters	2 seconds	39 minutes	2 days	8 hours – 7 years
10 characters	4 minutes	3 weeks	5 years	5 months
12 characters	3 hours	3 centuries	3000 years	34,000 years
16 characters	119 years	Millions of years	Billions of years	Trillions of years

Should I Use the Same Password for Multiple Accounts?

The advice is always - Never reuse passwords. If one account is breached, attackers can access your other accounts using the same password. Unique passwords for each account limit the damage of a single breach.

However, considering a 12+ passphrase with padding is significantly strong, consider as a minimum:

1 passphrase for non-sensitive accounts like social media.
A different passphrase for sensitive accounts like banking.
A totally different one for password manager that holds logins and passphrases for all your accounts.

What’s a Good Way to Remember My Passwords Without Writing Them Down?

Use memorable passphrases: Create a phrase only you would know, then modify it with numbers and symbols.
Acronyms: Take the first letter of each word in a sentence you’ll remember, and add numbers/symbols.
Password managers: The safest and easiest way to remember complex passphrases' is to use a password manager (see below).

Are Password Managers Safe and Easy to Use?

Yes, reputable password managers are both safe and user-friendly. Here’s why:

Strong encryption: Most use advanced encryption (like AES-256) to protect your data, so even if hacked, your passwords remain unreadable.
Zero-knowledge architecture: The provider can’t see your passwords; only you can unlock them.
Two-factor authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of security, requiring a second verification step to access your vault.
Convenience: They generate, store, and autofill strong, unique passwords for every account, so you don’t have to remember them all.
Cross-device access: Most offer browser extensions and mobile apps, making it easy to log in securely from anywhere.

Tip: Choose a strong master password for your password manager and enable 2FA for maximum security.

Here is a table of free password managers with unlimited cross-device sync and excellent cross-platform compatibility:

Password Manager	Platforms Supported	Free Device Sync	Key Features	Best For
Bitwarden	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Browsers	Unlimited	Open source, 2FA, autofill, password sharing	Anyone, especially privacy-focused
Proton Pass	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Browsers	Unlimited	Email aliases, dark web monitoring, autofill	All users, privacy-conscious
Avira Password Manager	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Browsers	Unlimited	Biometric login, built-in authenticator	Simplicity and unlimited sync
LogMeOnce	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Browsers	Unlimited	Diverse MFA, passwordless login	Users wanting many MFA options
Google Password Manager	Windows, macOS, Linux (via Chrome), Android, iOS (via Chrome app)	Unlimited (with Google account)	Autofill, password generation, password checkup	Chrome/Android users, simplicity
Apple Passwords	macOS, iOS, iPadOS, visionOS, limited Windows	Unlimited (Apple devices)	Autofill, breach alerts, password health	Apple ecosystem users