Every now and then it is worthwhile to take a look at how strong the passwords you use are. From time-to-time we get calls to re-set passwords that were forgotten and frequently those requests are to set a password to something easily guessed.  Usually a recommendation to choose something stronger though still easily remembered is offered.  So let's talk about choosing a good password.

 First of all, if your password can be found on any of the "top x" password lists easily found on the internet, change it immediately.  Whatsmypass.com has a page with the top 500 worst passwords. Second, if your password contains any part of your account name it's a good idea to change it to something stronger.  Finally, if your password is something easily guessed from profile information you may have posted somewhere else such as Facebook - like child or pet names, it's time to change it!

Now knowing what not to set your passwords to is great but what should you do to choose a stronger password?  We recommend a passphrase such as "3lazydoggie$" as a password as it will be easily remembered, and be cryptographically strong enough to keep attackers out of the account for a longer period of time.  Adding a number and a special character improves the password but you could just as easily use "twentyonedaysfromnowIgotanewcat" which is much longer, making it in some respects stronger and possibly easier to remember.

Passwords aren't perfect but with a little thought a good one that will be difficult to guess and easy to remember can be devised.