How to Create a Strong Password
Passwords are still the front door to most of our online life: email, banking, shopping, Facebook, and even your health or government accounts. If someone gets into just one important account (especially your email), they can often reset passwords and take over the rest.
What is a “strong” password?
A strong password is:
Long
Aim for 16 characters or more. Longer is stronger.Unique
One password per account. Reusing a password is like using the same key for your house, car, and mailbox.Hard to guess
Not based on your name, birthday, pet, address, sports team, or anything a scammer could find on Facebook.
A helpful shift: security experts now prioritize length and uniqueness over forcing weird “must include a symbol” rules, because those rules often lead people to predictable patterns.
Why weak passwords fail
Criminals do not sit there “guessing” your password one try at a time. They use automated tools and stolen password lists from old data breaches. If you reuse passwords, a breach from years ago can still hurt you today.
Also, scammers might try to trick you into giving your password over the phone or by text, or into sharing a one-time code. A strong password helps, but it works best with a second layer (more on that below).
The easiest strong-password method: the passphrase
If you only remember one tip, make it this:
Use a passphrase: 5 to 7 random words.
Example idea (do not copy this):
planet-cactus-lantern-window-river
That is long, easy to type, and hard to guess if the words are truly unrelated. Canada’s cybersecurity guidance recommends passphrases as a strong, usable approach.
Step-by-step: make your own passphrase in 2 minutes
Pick 5 to 7 unrelated words (objects, foods, places, animals).
Add a separator you like: hyphens, spaces (if allowed), or dots.
Add one small twist that is not personal info:
a number in the middle (not your birth year)
one capital letter in an unexpected place
a symbol you always remember
Example pattern (build your own):
Word-word-word-Word-word-7
This is usually stronger (and easier) than short “complex” passwords.
What to avoid (these are common traps)
Personal info: birthdays, kids’ names, pet names, favorite hockey team, street names.
Common patterns: Password123!, Summer2026!, Qwerty!
Small variations of the same password: BankingPassword1, BankingPassword2.
Short passwords: even if they have symbols, short is still short.
A simple rule: protect your email like it’s your wallet
If someone gets into your email, they can often click “Forgot password” on your bank, Amazon, or Facebook and take over accounts.
So for your email (Gmail, Outlook, iCloud):
Use your strongest, longest password
Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA)
Add the second lock: turn on 2FA (two-factor authentication)
2FA means you need a second step to sign in, usually a code on your phone or an app approval. It makes account takeovers much harder.
Important: scammers may call or text and say:
“Read me the code you just received.”
“We need it to verify your account.”
That code is a key. If you share it, they can get in even if your password is strong.
Rule: Never share a login code with anyone, even if they sound official.
The best way to manage many strong passwords: use a password manager
Most people end up reusing passwords because it is impossible to remember 30 different passphrases.
A password manager:
creates strong unique passwords for every account
stores them safely
autofills them so you do not have to type them
This is widely recommended by major security organizations.
If you do not want a password manager, at least use this “tier” approach:
Tier 1 (most important): email, banking, Apple/Google account
longest passphrase + 2FA
Tier 2: shopping, social media
strong passphrase (still unique)
Tier 3: low-risk accounts
still unique, but you can simplify a bit
Quick checklist you can print
A strong password should be:
16+ characters (or a 5-7 word passphrase)
unique per account
not based on personal info
paired with 2FA for email and banking
Remember:
“Scammers win when you act fast. You win when you pause and check. Always take your time - and if you’re unsure, talk to someone you trust before making a decision.”