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    Essential Skills
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    Verified Helpful
    1 min read 5 stepsJanuary 5, 2026Verified January 2026

    How to Create a Strong Password

    Learn the rules for creating passwords that are nearly impossible to crack.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Essential Skills
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    1 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    security
    passwords
    all-devices
    beginner

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Use at least 12 characters
    2. 2.Mix character types
    3. 3.Use passphrases
    4. 4.Never reuse passwords
    5. 5.Use a password manager
    1

    Use at least 12 characters

    ~15s
    Longer passwords are exponentially harder to crack. Aim for 12-16 characters minimum.

    Quick Tip

    Every extra character makes your password exponentially harder to crack. 16 characters is ideal.

    2

    Mix character types

    ~15s
    Use uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters (!@#$%^&*) for maximum strength.
    3

    Use passphrases

    ~15s
    A random phrase like "purple-elephant-dancing-rain" is strong AND easy to remember.
    4

    Never reuse passwords

    ~15s
    Each account should have a unique password. If one gets breached, the others stay safe.

    Warning

    If you use the same password on multiple sites and one gets hacked, attackers will try that password on all your other accounts.

    5

    Use a password manager

    ~15s
    Tools like 1Password, Bitwarden, or Apple Keychain generate and store unique passwords for every account.

    Quick Tip

    For more security basics, visit cisa.gov — the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency offers free, plain-English guides to staying safe online.

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    security
    passwords
    all-devices
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    Official Resources

    GCFGlobal — Free Digital SkillsAARP Technology TipsSenior Planet

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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