Password Strength
A strong password is an important aspect of cybersecurity, as it helps to protect user accounts and sensitive information from unauthorized access. The strength of a password is generally determined by several factors:
- Length: The number of characters in the password. Longer passwords are typically stronger because they have more possible combinations, making them harder to guess or crack. A common recommendation is to use passwords that are at least 12 characters long.
- Complexity: The use of a mix of different character types, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters (such as !, @, #, $, %, etc.). A password that includes a variety of character types is harder to crack than one that uses only one type.
- Randomness: The use of random character sequences rather than logical or common patterns increases password strength. Random passwords are less susceptible to dictionary attacks and brute-force attacks.
- Uniqueness: Each account should have a unique password. Reusing passwords across multiple accounts can lead to a domino effect, where one compromised account can lead to others being compromised as well.
Password Strength Score
Here's a formula for scoring password strength:
- Length:
13+ characters: +5 points
9-12 characters: +3 points
6-8 characters: +2 points
- Complexity:
Uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols: +5 points
Uppercase, lowercase, and numbers: +3 points
Uppercase and lowercase: +2 points
Others: +1 points
- Formula:
Add up the points, the result is:
0-5 points: weak password
6-8 points: medium password
9-10 points: strong password