How do I generate a password?
We've already randomly picked a strong password for you above, but you can tweak the options below to make it harder to guess or easier to remember. Just don't make it too easy to guess!
Switch to Random for a string of mixed-case letters, numbers and symbols – the strongest option for anywhere you're using a password manager. Open the settings below to change the length; the longer it is, the harder it'll be to crack.
Switch to Memorable for a passphrase built from real words joined by a separator of your choice (a hyphen by default), which is much easier to remember or type by hand than random characters. Adjust the word count, capitalisation and separator to taste.
'Include numbers' and 'Include symbols' are switched on by default, since most sites require both – they swap some of the letters for numbers and symbols, for example the letter l for 1 and the letter a for @. Turn them off if you'd rather keep the plain words.
What makes a strong password?
Having a strong password is very important. If someone manages to guess your password, your data or event your money could be at risk. But what makes a password strong?
The most important way to make your password strong is to make it long – the longer it is, the longer it'll take a hacker or a computer to try to guess it. Just make sure you don't sacrifice memorability – a strong password is no good if you can't remember it yourself!
Using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, along with numbers and special characters is another way to make your password harder to guess.
You should also avoid using obvious phrases (e.g. password or letmein) or personal information that someone who knows you might be able to guess (e.g. your mother's maiden name).
How can I remember a long password?
One handy way to remember a long password consisting of random words is to construct a story which links the words together. That way, you just need to remember the story and you'll be able to recall the words that you used to create it.
Should I use the same strong password everywhere?
No – generate a fresh one for every account. If one site suffers a data breach, a reused password lets attackers try the same combination elsewhere, a technique known as credential stuffing. A password manager makes storing lots of unique passwords painless.