Question 1

What password length is recommended?

Accepted Answer

A minimum of 12 characters is recommended, but 16 characters or more provide better protection. Each additional character exponentially increases cracking difficulty. For a master password or critical accounts, aim for 20 characters or use a 4-5 word passphrase.

Question 2

Should I use special characters in my passwords?

Accepted Answer

Yes, special characters increase the possible character space, strengthening security. However, length is more important than complexity. A 16-character password with letters and numbers is stronger than an 8-character password with all character types.

Question 3

Is it safe to generate passwords online?

Accepted Answer

Our generator uses the browser's Web Crypto API, meaning everything happens locally on your device. No passwords are sent over the network. Always verify that a tool uses a cryptographically secure generator (CSPRNG) and not Math.random() which is predictable.

Question 4

Why shouldn't I reuse passwords?

Accepted Answer

Data breaches are frequent. If a service is compromised and you use the same password elsewhere, attackers will automatically try those credentials on other services (credential stuffing). A single breach can compromise all your accounts if you reuse passwords.

Question 5

What is a passphrase and is it more secure?

Accepted Answer

A passphrase is a series of random words (e.g., "correct-horse-battery-staple"). It can be as secure as a complex password if it contains enough words (4-5 minimum). The advantage is that it's easier to memorize. Avoid famous quotes or song lyrics.

Question 6

How often should I change my passwords?

Accepted Answer

NIST recommendations indicate not to force regular changes, as this leads to weaker passwords. Change your passwords only when compromise is suspected, there's a breach alert, or if you accidentally shared the password. Focus on strong passwords and 2FA instead.

Question 7

What is password entropy?

Accepted Answer

Entropy measures a password's unpredictability in bits. The higher the entropy, the harder the password is to guess. A 12-character random password (uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols) has about 78 bits of entropy. 80 bits or more is considered very strong.

Question 8

Are password managers safe?

Accepted Answer

Yes, reputable password managers use strong encryption (AES-256) and zero-knowledge architecture. Even if their servers are compromised, your passwords remain encrypted. The main risk is a weak master password. Choose an audited manager and enable 2FA on it.

Question 9

What should I do if I suspect my password has been compromised?

Accepted Answer

Act immediately: 1) Change the password for the affected account, 2) Check recent account activity, 3) If you reused that password, change it everywhere, 4) Enable 2FA if not already done, 5) Check HaveIBeenPwned.com for the breach extent, 6) Monitor your financial accounts.

Question 10

Why is 2FA important even with a strong password?

Accepted Answer

A password can be compromised through phishing, keyloggers, or data breaches regardless of its strength. 2FA adds an additional barrier requiring a physical element (phone, security key) to access the account. Even with the password, an attacker cannot log in without the second factor.

Question 11

What's the difference between SMS and app-based 2FA?

Accepted Answer

SMS 2FA is vulnerable to SIM swapping where an attacker transfers your number to their SIM card. TOTP apps (Google Authenticator, Authy) generate codes locally without network transmission, making them safer. For maximum security, use a physical security key (YubiKey).

Question 12

Can I trust security questions?

Accepted Answer

No, security questions are often guessable (maiden name, first car, school). Treat them as secondary passwords: use random or false answers and store them in your password manager. Never give real answers that could be found on social media.

Question 13

How can I remember complex passwords?

Accepted Answer

The simple answer: don't. Use a password manager for everything except the master password. For that, create a memorable but unique passphrase, or use a technique like taking the first letters of each word from a personal sentence with substitutions.

Question 14

Are generated passwords truly random?

Accepted Answer

Our generator uses crypto.getRandomValues(), a cryptographically secure pseudo-random number generator (CSPRNG) provided by the browser. It draws from the operating system's entropy, making it practically impossible to predict. Avoid generators using Math.random() which is predictable.

Question 15

What are Passkeys and will they replace passwords?

Accepted Answer

Passkeys are a new passwordless authentication method based on FIDO2/WebAuthn. They use public-key cryptography and are phishing-resistant by design. Apple, Google, and Microsoft support them. They will gradually replace passwords, but the transition will take years.

Question 16

Is it safe to store passwords in the browser?

Accepted Answer

Built-in browser password managers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) have improved their security but remain less robust than dedicated managers. They're acceptable for low-sensitivity accounts. For critical accounts (banking, primary email), prefer a dedicated manager with 2FA and regular security audits.

Question 17

Why do some sites limit password length?

Accepted Answer

This is generally a sign of poor security practices (plaintext storage or weak hashing). Passwords should be hashed, producing a fixed-size output regardless of input. If a site limits to 16 characters or prohibits certain symbols, be wary of their security practices.

Question 18

How can I check if my passwords have been compromised?

Accepted Answer

Use HaveIBeenPwned.com to check if your email appears in known breaches. Password managers like Bitwarden and 1Password integrate this verification. Enable breach alerts in your manager to be automatically notified of new compromises.

Secure Password Generator

How to Use the Password Generator

Complete Guide to Password Security

What Makes a Password Secure?

Types of Password Attacks

Random Generation vs Passphrases

Password Managers

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Password Rotation Policy

The Future of Authentication

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