02 - Create Strong Passwords

Step 1:
A strong password helps you:

• Keep your personal info safe

• Protect your emails, files, and other content

• Prevent someone else from getting in to your account

Meet password requirements
Your password can be any combination of letters, numbers, and symbols (ASCII-standard characters only). Accents and accented characters aren't supported.

You can't use a password that:

• Is particularly weak. Example: "password123"

• You've used before on your account

• Starts or ends with a blank space

Follow tips for a good password
A strong password can be memorable to you but nearly impossible for someone else to guess. Learn what makes a good password, then follow these tips to create your own.

Make your password unique

Use a different password for each of your important accounts, like your email and online banking.

Reusing passwords for important accounts is risky. If someone gets your password for one account, they could access your email, address, and even your money.

Tip: If you have trouble remembering multiple passwords, learn how to use a tool to manage your saved passwords.

Make your password longer & more memorable

Long passwords are stronger, so make your password at least 12 characters long. These tips can help you create longer passwords that are easier to remember. Try to use:

• A lyric from a song or poem

• A meaningful quote from a movie or speech

• A passage from a book

• A series of words that are meaningful to you

• An abbreviation: Make a password from the first letter of each word in a sentence

Avoid choosing passwords that could be guessed by:

• People who know you

• People looking at easily accessible info (like your social media profile)

​
After you create a strong password, take steps to keep it safe.

Hide written passwords
If you need to write your password down, don’t leave it on your computer or desk. Make sure any written passwords are stored somewhere that’s secret or locked.

Manage your passwords with a tool
If you have trouble remembering multiple passwords, consider using a trusted password manager. Take some time to research the reviews and reputations of these services.

You can also use your Google Account to save passwords for you.