Staying safe
Create a strong password you can remember
Make passwords that keep your accounts safe without driving you crazy.
Which device are you using?
Pick one and the steps below will use the right words for you.
A quick heads-up
This guide is written for phone, tablet, and computer. Choose that device above to follow along — or look at the related guides below for your device.
A good password is your front-door lock for online accounts. The trick is making one that is hard for others to guess but easy for you to remember.
What you need
- Something to write your passwords in (a small notebook is fine)
Step by step
- Think of three random words plus a number, like Purple-Garden-Robin-7. Longer is stronger.
- Avoid birthdays, your name, or the word 'password' — those are easy to guess.
- Use a different password for your email and your bank than for everything else.
- Write your passwords in a notebook kept somewhere private at home — not on a sticky note on the screen.
- If a website offers it, turn on a texted code at sign-in (called two-step or 2FA). It adds a strong second lock.
Helpful tips
- No bank, company, or 'helpful caller' should ever ask for your full password. Never share it.
- It is perfectly fine to keep passwords in a private notebook at home.
You do not need to memorize dozens of complicated passwords. A private notebook and a few strong passwords for your most important accounts will serve you well.