Using strong, unique passwords for your accounts is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself online. For help creating those passwords, a strong, random password generator is an excellent tool.
Should I use a password generator?
Yes, it’s a great practice to use password generators or password creators to protect your accounts against password attacks. A strong password generator works to automatically generate a unique password that won’t be easily cracked. The tool above is not only free to use, but it also saves you the mental energy of coming up with a unique password each time you create new online accounts. It suggests strong passwords to protect your accounts and your personal data.
Password generators also remove the temptation of using a passcode that involves personal information. Using a pet’s name, your anniversary date, or birthday makes a passcode extremely easy to crack. Use a password generator to generate strong passwords and codes that are totally impersonal and, subsequently, more secure.
Are password generators safe?
Yes, password generators are safe to use. Though they come up with passwords for users, they don’t save those passwords; even if they did, the generator has no ties to who uses it or the accounts associated with that user.
It doesn't record your name or location. It also keeps no record of your private IP address, which you can find through your computer's settings with ipconfig, or your public IP address, which the What's My IP website homepage shows you. In short, your account security won’t be jeopardized by using a password generator. It simply suggests passwords for you to use on your personal accounts.
How to create a strong password
Using a random password generator tool is the best choice for accounts that need a high level of security, like bank accounts. However, to protect smaller online accounts, if you want to create passwords yourself instead, make sure to meet the following criteria for strong passwords:
- Check to ensure you’re meeting the basic password requirements for the website you’re creating an account for
- Don’t use any personally identifiable information in the password, like names, bank account numbers, or birthdates
- Use a combination of letters, numbers, and special characters to increase password strength
Secure passwords are typically at least 12-14 characters long. Never use the same password twice, even if you create a strong password that you think can't be cracked.
Using a password management system like RoboForm helps users get access to their accounts while still using random, strong passwords. Password managers store the passwords for each account, requiring users to only remember one master password to log in. Many password managers also generate strong, secure passwords on their own for users.
Use a password strength test to ensure that the passwords you use, whether generated or created yourself, are secure enough to protect your accounts.