What are characteristics of good passwords?

Long and complex passwords are considered a hallmark of good password security. This is because they significantly increase the number of potential combinations, making them much harder for attackers to guess or crack using brute force methods. A long password, generally defined as having at least 12 characters, combined with complexity—incorporating uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters—creates a stronger defense against unauthorized access.

In contrast, simple and easy-to-remember passwords may compromise security, as they often rely on predictable patterns or easily obtainable information. Commonly used phrases can be susceptible to dictionary attacks, where attackers use lists of common words or phrases to attempt breaches. Sharing passwords across multiple accounts increases risk, as the compromise of one account can lead to the compromise of others. Thus, investing in longer and more complex passwords is essential to safeguarding digital information effectively.