Q&A for How to Create a Secure Password Hint

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What is a password hint for a computer?

Community Answer

It is a hint as to what your password is. For instance, your dog could be called Scotch, and your password is "scotch123", your hint would be "Dog's name". Though, I don't recommend having an easy-to-guess password.

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Question

If I forget my password, should I make my password hint the same as my password?

Community Answer

No, it's a very bad idea. This will make it very easy for someone to hack into your computer.

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Question

Can you hack someone's password by knowing the hint?

Community Answer

Only if the hint is simple or easy to crack. This is why many password hints are obscure, weird, or otherwise hard to crack. Obvious hints that most people can guess are easy to figure out and should be avoided.

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Question

What are the easiest password hints?

Community Answer

Basically, anything that is super easy and simple to figure out. For example, the hint "grey city bird" for the password "pigeon" is pretty easy to guess. Also, obvious info about yourself like "Sister's name" and "My birthday" are also too easy to guess, so try to avoid hints like these.

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Question

Do password hints cause security vulnerabilities?

Community Answer

Not on their own. If a password hint is secure enough, and really difficult to guess, you're not going to have any problems caused by the hint.

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Question

What about using a racial slur as a password?

Community Answer

That's not a good idea. If it is hacked and found out, people may think badly of you. You should choose something that's not offensive.

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Question

If my password is my first name, then what will be my hint?

Community Answer

Don't make the password your name by itself. Add numbers and words/phrases unrelated to you. You can make it more secure if your password is your name rearranged in a way that you can remember, but not spelling it backwards, as that's too easy for someone to guess.

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Question

Is this a good hint: "5 letters"?

Community Answer

Yes, if it means the password has exactly 5 letters in it. That's a secure hint since it's vague and isn't too easy for someone to figure out.

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