Tried and tested methods for creating a stronger password
This is a follow-up article on creating strong passwords. Here are some techniques you can use to make it harder for cyber criminals to access your information.

Make it strong and complex
When it comes to password creation, the more complex a password is, the harder it becomes for hackers to access your information.
Strong passwords help you keep your devices protected.
Here are a few tricks and tips to keep in mind when coming up with a robust password.

Use a passphrase with a story
Think of a personal story or a funny anecdote to incorporate in your password. Since it needs to be a bit more elaborate, at least make it inventive and fun to remember. Think of a sentence that holds meaning to you but is complicated or difficult for others to guess.
Include and add random characters to it. A perfect example would be ‘In2021Iranthe5kmmarathonacrossMalta!’
This combination uses words, numbers, and symbols in a complete sentence. This makes it hard for hackers to guess.
Tip: Consider using a narrative that you only would know about like a memorable holiday or private joke. Make sure it is long enough to meet the password criteria, ideally longer than 12 characters.

Incorporate foreign language
Are you familiar with a language that isn’t widely spoken in your community? This can help increase the complexity of your password. This approach alienates hackers who might only think of using common wordlists in popular languages. You can also use dialects instead of standardised languages.
Tip: Choose words or phrases that are harder to find in a dictionary. For example, “Il-kelbTal-garJinbahHafna25*” mixes Maltese lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers and symbols, making the password strong and customised.

Create a pattern on the keyboard
Another creative way to make a memorable password is to think of a shape or pattern on your keyboard. This shape will be easy for you to remember. However, ensure you make it tough for outsiders to guess.
Tip: For example, a zigzag pattern like ‘1QsCvGY7UjM>’ has a mix of letters and capital letters. This adds complexity without much effort.

Use a favourite quote or lyric
Use a memorable quote or lyric but avoid the temptation of using it word for word. Change it in a way that includes symbols, numbers, and the use of capital letters.
Tip: Imagine a popular line, such as the Eminem lyric from ‘Lose yourself’. Now change it up to something like this: ‘My_PaIM5Rh3avyknisw3akRmsarh3vy!’ This adds more layers of security yet makes it easier to recall.

Mix up the case and symbols
The key to creating a powerful password is to mix uppercase, lowercase, numbers and symbols together. Random use of capital letters and placing symbols here and there can ward off random hackers from cracking your password.
Tip: A password like ‘thePiNkjEllY5_CaKeo6^NthEC9(ouNter’ uses symbols, uppercase and lowercase letters, and numbers. This makes it hard for outsiders to guess.

Use a Random Word Generator
A Random Word Generator gives you unique combinations. These combinations do not rely on commonly used phrases or personal information. This method adds randomness, making the password stronger against brute force attacks.
Tip: After generating a set of words, you can insert numbers, punctuations, or mix cases to fortify security. For example, ‘Red9-Car*Ficus’ combines randomness with intricacy.

Conclusion
A password is strong not only when it is long but also when it is highly difficult to guess. Using key phrases and adding personal tweaks helps protect your digital information. You can also add creative methods like foreign languages, random patterns or even emoticons, when possible.