Creating a secure password using the first letters of a very long passphrase is a great way to generate a strong and memorable password. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:

1. Choose a Long Passphrase: Start by selecting a long and memorable passphrase that is easy for you to remember. It should be at least 15 characters long, include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. For example, a passphrase could be “My favorite color is Blue! 123.”
2. Extract the First Letters: Take the first letter of each word in the passphrase. Using our example, you would extract the first letters as “Mfcib!1”.
3. Add Complexity: To enhance the password’s strength, consider adding additional complexity. You can replace some letters with numbers or special characters that resemble them. For instance, replace “i” with “1”, “o” with “0”, “s” with “$”, “a” with “@”, and so on. Following this rule, our password would become “MfC!b!1”.
4. Include Mixed Characters: Introduce a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters. Randomly convert some letters to uppercase to increase the complexity. For example, we can change “f” to “F” and “b” to “B”. The modified password becomes “MF!C!B!1”.
5. Extend the Password Length: It is generally recommended to have a password length of at least 12 characters. If your password is shorter, consider adding additional characters. You can add a memorable suffix or prefix. For instance, you could add “P@ss” at the beginning, resulting in a final password of “P@ssMF!C!B!1”.

How do I test my password’s strength?

There are several software tools and online services available that can help you test the strength of your password. These tools often analyze factors such as length, character variety, and common patterns to provide an assessment of the password’s strength.

Here are a few popular password strength checkers:

1. Password Meter (https://passwordmeter.com): This website allows you to enter your password and instantly provides a strength rating along with suggestions for improvement.
2. How Secure Is My Password? (https://howsecureismypassword.net): This online tool estimates the time it would take for a computer to crack your password, based on its complexity and various attack methods.
3. LastPass Password Generator (https://www.lastpass.com/password-generator): LastPass is a popular password manager, and their password generator tool can also evaluate the strength of your passwords.
4. Kaspersky Password Checker (https://password.kaspersky.com): Kaspersky offers an online password strength checker that evaluates the complexity of your password and provides feedback.

It’s worth noting that while these tools can give you a general idea of password strength, they are not foolproof. It’s still important to follow best practices for creating strong passwords, as mentioned earlier, and use additional security measures like two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible.

TL;DR

The strength of a password is influenced by its length, complexity, and randomness. Additionally, it’s crucial to avoid using commonly used words or predictable patterns. Always ensure that your passwords are unique for each online account and consider using a password manager to securely store and manage your password.