Create and Protect a Secure Password

In this video, you will create secure passwords and learn how to keep them safe.

Even if very few of your fake passwords were guessed -- or none at all -- they still could be at risk if a hacker was using a larger list of words, variations, and common personal identification terms.

Secure passwords: Prevent someone from stealing your personal information or money, Prevent unauthorized access to your accounts, files, and devices, And keep your accounts, files, and devices safe.

On top of this, many accounts, files, and devices require you to change your password every few weeks or months.

Plus, you should “never” use the same password in multiple places.

Therefore, knowing how to create secure passwords is an important skill that you will use often throughout your life.

Passwords should be at least eight characters long and a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers.

The longer the password, the more difficult it is for hackers to guess.

To create a secure password, begin by thinking of something that is memorable to you, but difficult for someone else to guess.

You could use: the author or title of a favorite book, a song or song lyric, a movie or actor you like, or a phrase that is meaningful to you.

Choose a memorable word and make it secure.

For example, if you’re a fan of author Angie Thomas’ work, you could choose the title of one of her books, like “The Hate U Give” as your password.

But, to make it secure, use a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols, and numbers.

Maybe you want to use a favorite song ...

The name of a movie you enjoy ...

Or the first letters of a memorable saying such as, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” Once you have chosen a secure and memorable password, take important steps to keep it safe.

Do not share your password with anyone.

And never leave it written down at your computer or desk.

It can be difficult to remember unique passwords for many different accounts, but using the same password for multiple accounts also puts them at risk of being hacked.

You might use a secure, trustworthy password manager to keep track of your passwords instead.

A password manager is an application that stores and manages passwords for a user’s online accounts.

The passwords are protected by a single “master password.” Another useful tool is two-step verification.

This system requires a user to have at least two different pieces of authentication at sign-in.

With two-step verification, you “first” sign in to your account with your password.

“Then,” you will be asked for a second form of verification.

It may be a code sent to your phone in a text message or a voice call.

Or, you could use a security key in your computer’s USB port.

Now, it’s your turn: Think of something memorable to you, Create a secure password, And take steps to protect your new password.