OBJ. 3: Creating Strong Passwords

Many of us were taught the rule of creating a password with at least eight characters. One of the characters is supposed to be a number, one should be a special character (like @, #, or !), and we should use a mix of upper- and lower-case letters. Unfortunately, that advice is outdated. Criminals don't try to guess your passwords anymore. They use password-cracking software. Software is infinitely patient and can go through many combinations. Eight characters aren't enough anymore.

Current password recommendations include using a passphrase. A passphrase is a longer string of words interspersed with numbers and special characters that protects your personal information. It makes it easier for you to remember and to keep others from breaking through. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), passphrases should be at least 14 characters long but can be much longer.

Watch the short video below from the North Carolina Department of Information Technology. The video shares common concerns about passwords. Which do you identify with?

Passwords from the North Carolina Department of Information Technology