How to Create a Secure Password Hint

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Do you have trouble remembering your password and want to create a password hint, but are worried it will give away your password to others? Here's some advice to help you create a secure password hint!

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Think about your password. If it is a word, think of playing word association. For example, let's say your password is 'bliss' (but this is an insecure password as it is short and relatively easy to guess.). Are there any words related to that word, or is it in a phrase? For example, the phrase 'ignorance is bliss'.
  2. 2
    Don't use the word or phrase as a password hint. Carrying on from the example above, you now have the phrase 'ignorance is bliss'. But if you put that as your password hint, there are 2 extremely obvious words that could be your password, and one of them is right.
    Advertisement
  3. 3
    Think about other words related to that word/in that phrase. The other word you would count in the example is 'ignorance' ('is' has thousands of other words related to it). So, from your password 'bliss' you now have the word 'ignorance'.
  4. 4
    Think about the word you now have. Is it a song title, or something similar. 'Ignorance' actually is a song (by Paramore). So, you could learn some of the lyrics. From the example, you could get 'If I'm a bad person, you don't like me.' or something similar. You could put the phrase, or just 'bad person' as your password hint. It's like having a conversation - one minute you're talking about how attractive a celebrity is, then when you're finished talking, you'll be on the subject of which people in your school were the meanest.
  5. 5
    Change your password hint. Go to the Start Menu, then to Control Panel , then to User Accounts , then to the section Add or Remove User Accounts . Then click your account, change password, and just fill your current password in on all the password boxes (unless you do want to change your password) and type the password hint in and click 'Done'.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What is a password hint, and how is it used for a computer?
    Community Answer
    A password hint is a clue that helps you remember your password. For example, if your password is "scotch123" and it's based on your dog's name, a suitable hint might be "Dog's name." However, it is advisable to avoid using easily guessable passwords.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 56
  • Question
    What should my password hint be if my password is my first name?
    Community Answer
    Avoid using your name alone as a password. Instead, include numbers and unrelated words or phrases. You could make it more secure by rearranging your name in a memorable way, but avoid spelling it backwards, as that's too easy to guess.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 12
  • Question
    Is it acceptable to use a racial slur as a password?
    Community Answer
    Using a racial slur as a password is not advisable, as it can be offensive and lead to negative perceptions if discovered. It's best to choose a password that is both secure and inoffensive.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 16
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • A clever way to make a password hint is to make a sentence that has words that begin with each letter of your password. If your password is 'Muzik', for example, the hint could be 'My underage zebra is keen'.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Manage Your Passwords
      A Quick Guide on How to Make a Username With & Without a Generator
      How to
      Find Your WiFi Password when You Forgot It
      How to
      Change Your Converge Wi-Fi Password
      How to
      Find Your Google Password on your Android or iPhone
      How to
      Get Someone's Facebook Password
      Troubleshooting Microsoft Authenticator App on Android & iPhone
      How to
      Remember a Forgotten Password
      How to
      Find Out a Password: 8 Tricks to Gain Access to Accounts
      6 Easy Ways to Delete Remembered Passwords on a Browser
      How to
      Create a Secure Password
      How to
      Create a Unique & Clever Username
      How to
      Make a Great Password That You'll (Actually) Remember
      How to
      Sign in to Google Drive on PC or Mac
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 140,747 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement