Choose a username that does not reveal details linking it to you. An arbitrary or opaque identifier can reduce what the username itself tells others—but it does not make the account anonymous or secure your login. Protect access separately with a unique password or passkey and multifactor authentication (MFA) when available.
What makes a username secure?
For username privacy, the key question is whether the identifier contains information that links it to a specific person. NIST explains that a username is personally identifiable information (PII) when it contains identifying information linking back to a person; an arbitrary or opaque value that cannot be linked to a specific person is not PII under that explanation. See the NIST Digital Identity Guidelines FAQ.
That distinction concerns the username itself, not everything associated with the account. A profile photo, biography, linked accounts, or other public details may still identify you even if the handle does not.
How to choose a more private username
- Start with an arbitrary or opaque choice. Select a handle that does not disclose information linking it to you. NIST gives the principle rather than a universal list of forbidden strings, so consider what someone could infer from your particular choice.
- Check what the account reveals around it. Review the profile and any linked accounts. A non-identifying handle does not prevent identification through other details on the account.
- Follow the service’s rules. Some services require a real name or a particular identifier. Follow the provider’s current requirements; a privacy preference does not override its account rules.
- Use the service’s permitted format. The reviewed official guidance does not establish a universal username length, character set, or naming recipe. Check the service’s current requirements and choose the least identifying option it allows.
Identifying versus opaque usernames
| Type | Privacy implication |
|---|---|
| Identifying username | Contains information that links back to a specific person; NIST’s FAQ treats this as PII. |
| Arbitrary or opaque username | Cannot be linked to a specific person from the identifier itself; NIST’s FAQ does not treat it as PII on that basis. |
This is a comparison of what the identifier reveals, not a ranking of particular formats. Reusing the same handle across services can also make accounts easier to connect, and profile information may identify you regardless of the handle.
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#1 Best Overall
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Secure account access separately
A username identifies an account; it is not an authentication secret. Use a unique password or a passkey where the service supports one, and enable MFA when available. NIST’s account-security guidance discusses passkeys, MFA, and password managers for accounts that still use passwords.
A password manager is optional for creating a username. It can generate and store unique passwords, but it does not make a username private. If you choose one, CISA recommends considering its password-generation features, storage model (cloud or locally maintained), device compatibility, account recovery, MFA support, and the provider’s trustworthiness. See CISA’s password-manager guidance.
Quick Recap
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Rank #2
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- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
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