Password Security 101: The Keys to Your Kingdom

Your First Line of Defense is Password Security

Your password is like the key you must present to the bridge keeper guarding the entrance to your digital kingdom. It should challenge anyone trying to slip past with something only you would know. If your password is too simple, it is like asking an intruder their favorite color; anyone can answer that. A strong password throws a real challenge at them, the kind of question that would stop even a seasoned knight in their tracks, something along the lines of “what is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow.”

Just like a castle relies on strong walls, sturdy gates, and loyal guards, your online accounts rely heavily on the quality of your passwords. Being the keys to your kingdom, if those keys are weak, misplaced, or copied, attackers have a clear path inside.

Below is a friendly, practical guide to creating, managing, and protecting strong passwords that actually work in the real world.

Why Strong Passwords Matter

Weak passwords are still one of the easiest ways hackers get into accounts. Attackers use tools that guess thousands of passwords per second. If your password is short, predictable, or reused, those tools can break in fast. Strong passwords make those attacks nearly impossible.

The U.S. government’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) publishes the same recommendations for using strong, unique passwords to keep accounts secure: https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords.

How to Build a Strong Password

1. Length

More characters means more difficulty for attackers. General guidance recommends aiming for at least 12 characters. My personal recommendation is to go with 14 or more whenever possible.

2. Complexity

Use a mix of:

• Uppercase letters
• Lowercase letters
• Numbers
• Special characters like !, @, ?, #, %, *

3. Unpredictability

Avoid names, birthdays, pet names, or favorite sports teams. If you have ever posted the word on social media, do not use it in your passwords.

4. Avoid Patterns

Skip common formats like:

• Name + 123
• Date + !
• Single dictionary words
• Repeating characters
• Simple sequences like abcdef or 123456

5. Use a Sentence or Memory Trick

Turning a memorable sentence into a strong password is one of the easiest ways to make a password both secure and memorable.

Example sentence: Every single morning at 6 am I pound the coffee!

Converted password: Esma6AMi#tc!

6. Consider a Passphrase

A passphrase uses several random words strung together. Because they use dictionary words, they should be longer, ideally 16 to 20 characters. More characters always means better protection. Also remember that spaces count as characters and are allowed for most general passwords.

Example: DolphinCarpetRocketWindow!

When Should You Change Your Passwords?

In the past, people were told to change their passwords frequently. Times have changed, and new guidance from NIST and other security organizations states that if your password is strong, you do not need to change it unless you suspect compromise or elevated risk. Me personally, I sleep better at night changing my important passwords every so often.

Change your password immediately if:

• You think someone may have seen it
• A service you use suffers a breach
• You reused it somewhere
• You shared it and no longer want that access to remain
• You logged in on a device you do not trust

Never Reuse Passwords

Reusing passwords is one of the biggest security mistakes. If a hacker gets into one account, they can often get into everything else that uses the same password.

Always use unique passwords for:

• Banking
• Email
• Cloud storage
• Social media
• Shopping accounts

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Use a Password Manager

Instead of remembering dozens of long passwords, use a password manager. It stores them securely and generates new ones for you. NordPass is a great example because it:

• Syncs your passwords across devices
• Stores them securely
• Helps generate strong passwords
• Detects reused or weak passwords
• Is easy to use regardless of technical skill
• It’s built so that only you can see what’s in your password vault

Checkout my full NordPass Review: Security, Features, Value.

A password manager lets you use extremely strong, unique passwords without needing to memorize them all. It also keeps everything synced across your devices so you always have what you need.

Use 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication)

Using 2FA adds a second form of authentication when logging in. It is often thought of as: something you know (your password) and something you have (your phone). For example, a second form of authentication might be a code sent to your phone as a text or a code from an app like Google Authenticator. If you want a simple walkthrough of how it works and how to set it up, check out my Two-Factor Authentication 101 guide.

Some organizations also refer to this as MFA (multi-factor authentication), which roughly means the same thing, except MFA is not limited to only two factors. MFA simply means two or more forms of authentication.

With both 2FA or MFA, even if you fell for a scam and gave your password to a hacker in another country, they still would not have the additional factor (like a code from your phone) and would not be able to sign in as you.

Enable 2FA whenever possible, especially for:

• Your bank
• Your email
• Cloud storage accounts

Avoid Saving Passwords in Browsers

Avoid saving your passwords in your browser whenever you can. Browser password tools are convenient, but they aren’t built with the same focus on security features, monitoring, or cross-device protection that dedicated password managers offer. Some malware is even designed to pull saved passwords straight from a browser, which is another reason to avoid relying on it. Again, a password manager like NordPass gives you a safer and more reliable way to store everything.

How to Remember Strong Passwords

If you are not using a password manager, try:

• Using a memorable sentence
• Using a long passphrase
• Avoid storing passwords in Notes apps, documents, or email drafts
• Avoid writing them on sticky notes on your desk

Final Thoughts

Your passwords decide who gets into your digital kingdom and who stays outside the gates. When you take the time to build strong, unique logins and pair them with tools like a password manager and 2FA, you are choosing to protect your privacy, your data, and your peace of mind.

Good password habits are not about being paranoid or turning your online life into a chore. They are about removing easy opportunities for attackers and making yourself a much harder target than the average person. Most account compromises do not happen because someone was specifically targeted. They happen because weak or reused passwords made it easy.

Treat your passwords like the guardians and heroes of your realm and they will serve you well. A little effort up front goes a long way toward keeping your accounts, your information, and your digital life safe for the long term.