By now you know the risks of hacking and identity theft. Yet most people still fall back on easy-to-remember logins. Maybe you think, “Nobody’s going to guess my cat’s name and my birthday.” You’re right—nobody will. But the automated scripts that hit every website with millions of password attempts a minute just might.
If you want to avoid trouble, here are the best ways to create strong passwords in 2025—plus a look at the rise of passwordless passkeys.
Password Security Best Practices
- Use at least 16 characters (letters, numbers, and symbols).
- Don’t rely on dictionary words—hackers test those first.
- Skip obvious substitutions (like “f0r3ver” for “forever”).
- Avoid predictable combos (birthdays, names, or “123456”).
- Never reuse passwords across multiple accounts.
- Turn on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA/2FA) wherever available.
- Consider passkeys—a new passwordless login option supported by Apple, Google, Microsoft, banks, and more.
For more on how people interact with websites and security, see Website Statistics to Know in 2025.
3 Ways to Create and Remember a Strong Password
1. First Letter Method
Take the first letter of each word in a sentence, lyric, or book title and mix in numbers and symbols.
“The name of my first dog was Max! We lived at 115 Main Street.” becomes: “TnomfdwM!Wla115MS.”
Random Word + Symbol Trick
Instead of remembering a long string of letters and numbers you could memorize four random words and toss in an ice cream cone emoticon for fun:
Just imagine the Good Humor man mowing the lawn while eating an ice cream cone. A mnemonic device like this will ensure that it’s stuck in your head forever!
“IceCreamLawnmowerMan~oO>”
The visual connection helps cement it in your memory.
3. Set It and Forget It with a Password Manager
Today, nearly every browser and device offers a secure password manager. Tools like Google Password Manager or dedicated apps generate strong logins and keep them encrypted across your devices. You only need to remember one master login.
Here are The Best Free Password Managers for 2025 from PC Magazine.
Passkeys vs. Passwords: The Future of Login Security
Passwords aren’t going away overnight, but passkeys are gaining ground. They use device-based cryptography—meaning your fingerprint, face scan, or device PIN is the “password.” They’re phishing-resistant and easier to use than traditional logins.
Expect to see more websites and apps offering passkeys as a login option in 2025.
Keep Your Website and Accounts Safe
A strong password (or passkey) plus MFA is your best defense. And if you’re managing a website, you’ll want to make sure your user accounts, plugins, and hosting environment are just as secure.
- Before you make changes, consider a website audit to uncover security gaps, performance issues, and outdated plugins.
- If your site is due for an overhaul, read Before You Redesign: The Website Audit That Informs Smarter Decisions.
- Or, if you’re simply overwhelmed by the number of digital platforms you’re managing, check out Simplifying How You See Your Business.
And of course—contact us if you’d like help keeping your organization’s site and data safe.
