Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings

In this wikiHow article, we'll show you how to create a strong, unique, yet easy-to-remember password.

Steps

1. 1 Know what to avoid. Before deciding what you want to add to your password, take a look at a few examples of how not worth it include there:
   • animal names or names of family members / friends;
   • words as they appear in the dictionary (for example, "L @ mp0chk @" is a good option, but "lampochka" is not);
   • personal information (for example, your phone number);
   • public information (for example, something related to your leisure time that is easy to find out about);
   • abbreviations.
2. 2 Learn the ingredients of a good password. If you include all of the following components in your password, it will be very difficult to crack it:
   • signs of both upper and lower register (uppercase and lowercase);
   • numbers;
   • symbols;
   • at least 12 characters;
   • something that at first glance is difficult to decipher as a real word or phrase.
3. 3 Consider common password strategies. If you don't have your own method for creating a memorable password, try one of the following:
   • remove vowels from words or phrases (for example, "Holidays at Prostokvashino" will become "кнклвпрстквшн").
   • move your hand while typing (for example, enter the word "wikiHow" by moving your hands one line down on the keyboard);
   • use a cipher (for example, page number, paragraph lines, and words from a book);
   • use a double password (for example, create a password, insert a space or separator character, and then type the password again).
4. 4 Choose a difficult word or phrase that has some meaning for you. Most likely, you have a few words, phrases, titles (for example, an album or song) or something similar that, for some reason, you remember well. These words / phrases make a great basis for passwords because they have emotional meaning for you, but not for anyone else.
   • For example, you can select the title of your favorite song from a specific album or a phrase you like from a specific book.
   • Never choose a favorite phrase that other people know about.
5. 5 Choose a password strategy. You can use one of the common strategies mentioned above (like removing vowels) or create your own.
   • Some experts recommend choosing several random words and tying them together without changing the sequence later (for example, "banantephone string").
6. 6 Replace letters with your favorite numbers. If you have a favorite number or two, replace it with a couple of letters in the password.
   • Avoid using obvious substitutions (e.g. 0 for o, 4 for h, and the like).
7. 7 Add the character you like to the password. If you have a favorite character on the keyboard, replace it with a letter or add it to the beginning of the password to help you remember it.
   • Most services require you to take this step when creating a password.
8. 8 Add the code to your password. For example, if you are coming up with a password for a work email, add "work mail" (or "rbchpcht") at the end of the password. This way, you will be able to use the same password base in most services without repeating it exactly anywhere.
   • It is extremely important not to repeat the password more than once (for example, do not use the password from VKontakte for e-mail or other service).
9. 9 Consider doubling your password. If your password is only 8 characters long and your chosen service (such as Facebook) accepts 16 or more characters, just enter your password twice.
   • For added security, press and hold the shift key while writing the second part of the password (for example, "@ nt0n @ nt0n" becomes "@ nt0n @ NTN").
10. 10 Create variations of your password. While adding a code at the end will help you remember the password for a particular service, you will eventually have to completely change your passwords. If you are happy with your current password, try entering it while holding the shift key, or capitalize some letters.
    • If you have replaced some letters with numbers, you can switch those letters back and use the numbers for other letters.

Tips

• If, when typing letters or numbers, you pronounce them, you will feel the rhythm, and it will be easier for you to remember them.
• It is possible to combine several of these methods and still come up with a really memorable but very strong passphrase.
• The strongest passwords contain lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Get in the habit of holding down the shift key when entering the first 4 characters, or characters from 3 to 7, or whatever, and then you don't have to stop and remember your password.
• When coming up with a mnemonic sentence, try to make it funny or meaningful to you. This will make it easier for you to remember the sentence and password.

Warnings

• Do not use passwords that are given as examples on the site! Someone can see it too and guess your password. Come up with your own!
• Don't use numbers that are registered somewhere, such as a phone number, address, and social security number (if you have one).
• Don't reuse passwords.It may be tempting to use only one or two passwords for all accounts, but you should have separate passwords for all services, and especially anything related to personal or financial information.