Q&A for How to Create a Secure Password

It's a good idea to have at least 2 or 3 passwords that you use for different sites. That way, if one password is compromised, you won't have as many sites that you need to go in and change.

To make a very secure password, focus on the length. For instance, you might think of 3 words that normally wouldn't go together, and put them together in a password. It will take a computer about 60 years to figure out a 10-12 character password, even if it's all lowercase letters with no special characters.

Certainly, but keep in mind that a hacker who knows the language that your password is in might be able to guess it.

You can use a nickname as your password but only if it's unusual or not associated with your real name. For example "Mike" would not be a good password if your name is Michael. If you have an unusual nickname, such as Mookie or Shorty, hackers would probably not try that. It's also a good idea to add a few numbers or symbols to any password you choose.

Consider using the first line of your favorite song; it's memorable for you and typically long enough to be difficult to crack.

That depends on where you keep it. If you don't live with untrustworthy people you worry may hack into your accounts, it should be perfectly safe to keep your passwords hidden away somewhere at home. You don't have to write down what password goes with what website, either, as long as you can keep it straight in your head.

Write it down like it says in the article. If you have a password like 'PeterPilot001', changing it to 'Peter001Pilot' wouldn't be the safest bet. If it is known by others, change it immediately and completely.

Yes, that would make it even more difficult to guess.

Write the name of your favorite food, sport, hobby, or animal, and then add 2 to 4 numbers. For example, your password could be Reading1998 or Wolf24. Usually, no one tries numbers when trying to guess other people's passwords.

Yes. It would be best to make different passwords for each bank account. You can change your old password just a bit if you have a problem remembering each password.

You can store written passwords in a safe place such as a locked drawer, a safe, or hidden at the back of a drawer under clothing. Any secure location that is not in plain sight should work well.

Most reputable password management programs are secure and have safeguards against unauthorized access. To enhance security, choose a well-reviewed program, keep your software updated, and regularly check for and remove any malicious software from your device.

No. Your username is visible to others, so your account would be ridiculously easy to hack.

Hacking with a phone is possible, but you would need to root your device.

You don't have to download a password manager, but it can simplify managing your passwords. You can choose another method if that suits your needs better.

You can share it with your parents if you trust them, but I would advise against sharing it with teachers and technicians. They should not need it. Make sure that you use a different password for every site, so that if you need to let anybody have access to one of your accounts, you won't be giving the person the password for your other accounts.

It is a password requirement. You need to have (at least) 7 letters and numbers altogether in your password. Uppercase means LETTERS LIKE THESE. Then numbers such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0 are also required in your password (to make it more secure).

Numbers and letters mixed together are one of the most secure passwords, (such as: gj492sdju744re) Just make sure there isn't an obvious pattern, like if your name is Tom, t1o2m3 is much more possible to guess.

The purpose of changing your password is that it keeps it fresh and that a hacker will never guess your password because it's changing every so often.