--- title: 3 Tips to Create Stronger Passwords description: Three tips to choosing better, stronger passwords to protect your online accounts. image: https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(17).jpg --- [![MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png?width=464&name=MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2.png "MoneyWisdom_HFCU_r2")](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) Filter by Category** - [Show All](https://go.hfcu.org/blog) - [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) - [Personal Finance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/personal-finance) - [Auto](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/auto) - [Business](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/business) - [Credit Score](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-score) - [Home](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/home) - [Credit Cards](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/credit-cards) - [Life Changes](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/life-changes) - [Insurance](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/insurance) - [Investments](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/investments) Filter by Category** - 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[dormant account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/dormant-account) - [inactive account (1)](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/inactive-account) # 3 Tips to Create Stronger Passwords ** [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/author/hanscom-federal-credit-union) ** Nov 15, 2019 ![Untitled design (17)](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(17).jpg) I found out awhile ago that [a favorite password had been compromised in a data breach.](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-to-do-data-breach) Yes, I'm hanging in my head in shame because I know now that I shouldn't have a favorite password. But I did, and my punishment was a few hours of my time spent changing all of my passwords to reduce the risk of being hacked in the future. (If you're wondering why it's a bad idea to reuse passwords, it's because once a hacker knows a password, they'll use it to try to break into other accounts you own.) If you feel a twinge of guilt about having a favorite password that you use across multiple sites, it's time for some adulting to get those passwords changed, stat! And if you're using some ridiculously easy-to-crack passwords, please drop everything and start changing them to something more complicated...*like right now*! Here, three good/better/best tips to create stronger, better passwords: ### 1. Good: Make it tough to crack While passwords like **123456** and **abc123** are super-easy for you to remember, they're also super-easy for hackers to get in your business. Earlier this year the U.K.'s [National Cyber Security Centre](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/) released a list of the top 100,000 passwords found in data breaches. (You can download the list [here](https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/static-assets/documents/PwnedPasswordsTop100k.txt).) Before you start patting yourself on the back for the password **qwerty,** or any password that seems like a cinch to remember, do a search for it on this list before you use it.  You'd also be smart to avoid any password that's remotely guessable by a wily hacker. This means nixing any personal information (names, dates, Social Security numbers, etc.) And if you think mixing things up with numbers to replace letters (a 3 for "e" for example), hackers use software that's wise to patterns like these. If you're going to make up your own password, make it as complex and random as possible, something only you would know and remember. Aim for no less than 12 characters. When you've chosen your password, run it through [How Secure is My Password](https://howsecureismypassword.net/) to see how long it would take a hacker to crack it. If they can hack it in the next hundred years, choose a password that their great-grand hacker might have a chance cracking. By then you won't care. ### 2. Better: Create a password from a phrase you'll never forget I can't remember where I learned this tip, but it's clever and foolproof if you have a memorable phrase you know you'll never forget. Here's how it works: Let's say your memorable phrase is, "William Shakespeare wrote A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse." You take the first letter of each word and use it to generate your password using both letters and numerals. In this case, the phrase could turn into **WSw@h@hmk4@h. **(By the way, I ran that password through [How Secure Is My Password](https://howsecureismypassword.net/) and it would take 34 thousand years for a computer to crack it. That's good enough for me.) This is just an example, but you get the idea. Just make sure it's a phrase you know you will never, ever forget and that you can remember what letters are upper case versus lower case. ### 3. Best: Use a password generator tool Password generators are wonderful tools when you're instructed to generate a password between 8 and 16 characters that includes upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols. No thinking required and the password you'll get is so random that it would take eons for the savviest hackers to sleuth out. My favorite tool is [Dashlane's Password Generator](https://www.dashlane.com/features/password-generator), which is free. It lets you set the password length, and you can include letters, digits, and symbols...or not. It'll even tell you if your password is too weak or strong enough to give a hacker second thoughts about messing with you. Lastly, tough passwords are difficult to remember so [think about using a secure password manager](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/password-manager) instead of writing them down in a notebook or typing them into an insecure computer document. Also, consider changing passwords on a regular basis. Keep on top of news that keeps your family's financial information safe and secure. [Subscribe to the MoneyWisdom blog today!](https://go.hfcu.org/blog?_ga=2.249056718.856077149.1573577378-1376238094.1570043984) [![Subscribe to the MoneyWisdom Blog](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/118438/37dce13d-86b4-4a65-abff-d0010837e64b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/118438/37dce13d-86b4-4a65-abff-d0010837e64b) Others are reading: - [5 Surprising Ways You Can Hurt Your Credit](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-surprising-ways-you-can-hurt-your-credit) - [Free Electronic Credit Monitoring for Military Personnel is Here](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/free-electronic-credit-monitoring-for-military-personnel-is-here) - [5 Surprising Things I Learned About My Credit Report](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-things-i-learned-about-my-credit-report-and-score) - [The #1 Tip to Avoid Being Scammed in a P2P Transaction](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/the-1-tip-to-avoid-being-scammed-in-a-p2p-transaction) - [Scam Alert: Beware the Online Banking Vishing Scam](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/scam-alert-beware-the-online-banking-vhishing-scam) ** [Security](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/topic/security) [** 5 Surprising Ways You Can Hurt Your Credit ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-surprising-ways-you-can-hurt-your-credit) [** 5 Good Reasons to Use Your Credit Card ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/5-reasons-to-use-your-credit-card) ### About Author ![Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/HFCU-Profile-1000x1000.jpg) Hanscom Federal Credit Union Hanscom Federal Credit Union, a purpose-driven $1.9 billion organization based in Littleton, MA, empowers its members to achieve financial wellness. Hanscom FCU serves over 95,000 members across the country and overseas through 16 branches, over 100,000 surcharge-free ATMs, 5,000 contact centers, and a web-based branch. Related Posts [![Protect Your Accounts from the Rise of Check Fraud](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(16)-2.png) Protect Your Accounts from the Rise of Check Fraud ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/protect-your-accounts-from-the-rise-of-check-fraud) [![How to Avoid ID Theft Over the Holidays](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px%20(1)-1.png) How to Avoid ID Theft Over the Holidays ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/bid/155005/don-t-let-identity-theft-ruin-your-holidays) [![How to Avoid the Latest Financial Scam: AI Voice Cloning](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Blog%20Photos%20800%20x%20800px-1.png) How to Avoid the Latest Financial Scam: AI Voice Cloning ](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/ai-voice-cloning-scam) ** - [**](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/3-tips-to-create-stronger-passwords/) - [**](https://X.com/share?url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/3-tips-to-create-stronger-passwords/) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://go.hfcu.org/blog/3-tips-to-create-stronger-passwords/&summary=&source=CeBIT) ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. 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Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://X.com/HanscomFCU The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.instagram.com/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ## You are Leaving Hanscom Federal Credit Union #### **Please read the following before proceeding to:** ### https://www.linkedin.com/company/hanscomfcu/ The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. 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The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. ### Popular Posts [What You Need to Know About Putting Your Home in a Trust](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-putting-your-home-in-a-trust) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202022-02-10T072804.753.jpg) [What You Need to Know About Your Federal Tax Bracket](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-your-tax-bracket) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20-%202021-03-22T123305.900.jpg) [6 Boat Types to Get on the Water](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/6-boat-types-to-get-on-the-water) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/Jet_Ski.jpg) [23 Organizations Dedicated to the Needs of Seniors](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/23-organizations-dedicated-to-the-needs-of-seniors) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/Senior%20citizens.jpg) [9 Smart Moves for Lottery Winners](https://go.hfcu.org/blog/lottery) ![older man looking at top retirement worry on digital device](https://go.hfcu.org/hubfs/images/lottery_winner.jpg) ### Recent Posts - [![National Credit Union Administration](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/NCUA-logo-small.png?width=95&name=NCUA-logo-small.png) ](https://www.ncua.gov/) [![Equal Housing Lender](https://go.hfcu.org/hs-fs/hubfs/EHL-logo-small.png?width=65&name=EHL-logo-small.png)](https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing) - @ 2023 [Hanscom Federal Credit Union](https://www.hfcu.org/) - Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. - [Privacy Policy](https://www.hfcu.org/content/docs/Privacy_Notice.pdf) **Disclosure:** Hanscom Federal Credit Union does not provide and is not responsible for any products, services, or overall website content available at any third-party sites linked within this blog. 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Please consult the privacy disclosures on those linked sites for further information. ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Hanscom Federal Credit Union" }, "dateModified" : "February 18, 2020, 3:01:36 PM", "datePublished" : "2019-11-15 20:36:28", "description" : "Three tips to choosing better, stronger passwords to protect your online accounts.", "headline" : "3 Tips to Create Stronger Passwords", "image" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/Untitled%20design%20%2817%29.jpg" }, "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://go.hfcu.org/blog/3-tips-to-create-stronger-passwords", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/118438/Logo%202.jpg" }, "name" : "Hanscom Federal Credit Union" } } ```