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Use a long, unique password for every account, store generated passwords in a password manager, and add multifactor authentication (MFA) or a passkey wherever available. If you need to remember a password yourself, choose a long passphrase rather than a short, predictable mix of words and symbols.

13 good password ideas and tips

  1. Make passwords long

    Length is one of the most useful qualities you can control. NIST’s current standard sets a minimum of 15 characters for passwords used as a single factor. It permits a minimum of eight characters when a password is used only as part of MFA. These are requirements for services covered by the standard, not a guarantee that every website follows the same rules. Aim for a longer password when the service allows it.

  2. Use a passphrase if you need to remember it

    A sequence of several unrelated words can be easier to recall than a short password with predictable substitutions. Make it long and specific to that account; do not use a familiar quote, lyric, or phrase that someone could associate with you. NIST recommends multiple-word passphrases as one way to create longer passwords. NIST SP 800-63B-4

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  3. Give every account a different password

    Never reuse a password across services. Attackers can take usernames and passwords exposed in one breach and try them on other sites—a technique known as password stuffing. A unique password limits the damage if one service is compromised. NIST SP 800-63B-4

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  4. Let a password manager generate random passwords

    For accounts you do not need to memorize, have a password manager create long, random, unique passwords and save them in its vault. That avoids relying on a person to invent and remember a different complex password for every service. CISA recommends manager-generated passwords that are long, random, and unique. CISA: Use Strong Passwords

  5. Protect the password-manager account

    The manager’s main account safeguards access to its stored credentials. Use a strong, unique password for it and turn on MFA if the provider offers it. Treat recovery methods as part of the security setup: keep recovery information accessible to you, but protected from other people.

  6. Turn on MFA for important accounts

    MFA requires another proof of identity in addition to a password, such as an authenticator app prompt or a security key. Use it especially on email, financial, work, and password-manager accounts when available. NIST is explicit: “Passwords are not phishing-resistant.” MFA adds a separate layer, though available methods do not all provide the same protection. NIST SP 800-63B-4

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  7. Use a passkey when an account supports one

    A passkey is another sign-in option to consider alongside MFA. Follow the service’s setup instructions and keep access to the device or account where the passkey is stored. Availability and the way passkeys sync or work across devices depend on the service and your setup. NIST’s consumer guidance recommends considering passkeys. NIST: How Do I Create a Good Password?

  8. Do not rely on character tricks

    Changing a familiar word by replacing letters with symbols or adding a predictable number does not make it a sound strategy. NIST’s current standard tells covered services not to impose extra composition rules, such as requiring a particular mixture of character types. Focus on length and uniqueness instead.

  9. Avoid routine password changes

    Changing a password on a fixed schedule is not a substitute for choosing a strong, unique one. NIST says services should not require periodic changes without evidence of compromise. Change a password when you have reason to believe it was exposed or someone else accessed the account, and follow that service’s recovery steps.

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  10. Do not choose common or personal information

    Avoid passwords built from common phrases, expected patterns, or details others may know or find about you. NIST requires covered services to check new passwords against a blocklist of commonly used, expected, or compromised values. A service rejecting a choice may be protecting users from a password that is too easy to guess.

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  11. Check that the service supports long passwords

    A site may impose a maximum length or reject spaces and other printable characters. NIST’s standard calls for verifiers to allow passwords of at least 64 characters and to accept spaces and printable characters. If a service’s limits make a strong password difficult to use, choose the longest unique password it accepts and add MFA or a passkey if available.

  12. Use paste and autofill when available

    Paste and autofill make it practical to use long, randomly generated passwords without typing or memorizing them. NIST recommends that services support these features. If autofill fails, check that the saved login matches the correct site before entering credentials; avoid copying a password into an unfamiliar page.

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  13. Choose password storage that fits your access and backup needs

    Cloud-synced vaults can make credentials available across devices, but they also put stored data within reach of sophisticated attackers. A locally maintained database gives you more responsibility for backups and access between devices. CISA describes these trade-offs; neither storage approach is a universal best choice. Consider how you use multiple devices and whether you can reliably maintain secure backups. CISA: Using Password Managers

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How to put the tips into practice

  1. Set up a password manager and protect its account with a unique password and MFA where available.

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  2. Start with your email account and other high-impact accounts. Replace reused or weak passwords with manager-generated, unique ones.

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  3. Enable MFA or set up a passkey on each account that offers it, following that service’s instructions.

  4. Save recovery codes or other recovery information somewhere secure and accessible if the service provides them.

  5. When creating a password yourself, use a long passphrase rather than a short construction based on personal details or predictable substitutions.

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What to do if a password may be compromised

Change the affected password promptly, and do not reuse the replacement on another account. If that password was reused elsewhere, change it on those accounts too. Use the service’s official account-recovery process if you cannot sign in, then enable MFA or a passkey where supported. Avoid changing unrelated passwords on a schedule; focus on accounts with evidence of exposure or unauthorized access.

How to assess a service’s password rules

A service’s password form may not reflect the strongest available practice. Look for support for long passwords, spaces, paste, and autofill, and use a unique password even if the site permits shorter ones. NIST’s requirements apply to verifiers covered by its standard; they do not establish what a particular consumer website currently accepts. When a service’s limits or sign-in options are unclear, consult its own help or security documentation.

NIST’s consumer article, created April 28, 2025 and updated August 20, 2025, summarizes its practical advice around length, passphrases, password managers, MFA, and passkeys. Read NIST’s password guidance.

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