How to Create Strong Passwords (Without Memorizing a Thing)

Most people know they should have strong passwords, but it feels impossible to remember a different complicated password for every website. The good news? You don't have to memorize them. Here's a better approach.

The Problem With Simple Passwords

Passwords like "password123," your pet's name, or your birth year are easy for hackers to guess. Once they crack one password, they try it on other sites — and if you reuse passwords, they can break into your email, your bank, and more.

The Simple Solution: Use a Passphrase

A passphrase is a short, memorable sentence that's easy for you to remember but impossible for a computer to guess. Examples:

• MyBlueCatLovesSunnyDays!
• CoffeeOnThePorch2024!
• GrandkidsAreTheBest99

These are much stronger than random letters and numbers — and you can actually remember them.

The Best Solution: Let a Password Manager Do It

A password manager is an app that creates and remembers strong passwords for you. You only need to remember one master password — the app handles the rest.

On a Mac or iPhone, iCloud Keychain is already built in. When you create a new account on a website, it asks if you want to save the password. Tap Save, and from then on, your device will automatically fill it in for you.

Other popular password managers: 1Password, Bitwarden (free option available), and Google Password Manager (works on any device).

What to Do Right Now

1. Pick your most important account — probably your email
2. Change its password to a passphrase you can remember
3. Turn on your phone or computer's built-in password manager
4. Let it create and save passwords for every new account

That's it. One simple change and your accounts are dramatically safer.