Is it more secure to implement a password, or a passphrase?
That is a question on the minds of many individuals and businesses currently. The traditional password has long been the standard for protection, but as cyber threats become more sophisticated, it’s clear that a simple password may not be enough.
This is where passphrases have come in and provided a longer, more secure alternative, which is designed to bolster the protection your systems have against cyberattacks. While both passwords and phrases serve the same purpose, understanding their differences can make all the difference in safeguarding your personal and business information.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at how passwords and passphrases compare, and why switching to a phrase system could be one of the smartest decisions you make for your overall cybersecurity standings.
What is a Password?
A password is a sequence of characters needed to access a particular system or service.
Passwords are a widely used method for protecting sensitive information such as personal, confidential, and proprietary data. Different websites and software have varying password requirements, including length, the inclusion of both numbers and letters, as well as special characters and the use of uppercase and lowercase letters.
An example of a password might look like this:
- 4jli$oju?A
- m$7Zp@1xW!e3
- Q#4vT9*eL2$k
- bR8!xY@zC5#q
- X9v!rT2@qL8#
Whilst these are incredibly secure examples of emails, with a mixture of lowercase, uppercase, numbers, and special symbols, there is less chance that you will simply remember these
What is a Passphrase?
A passphrase is a more human alternative to a regular password.
While it serves the same purpose as a password, a passphrase is typically longer and can contain spaces. It can also include symbols and does not need to follow grammatical rules.
The strength of a passphrase often lies in the randomness of the words it contains. Using a completely random phrase makes it harder for hackers to guess, as opposed to common or predictable phrases. For instance, some examples of passphrases could be:
- echo-sparkle-mango-triangle352
- Banana7!Router$JazzHands
- Fluffycactus!drives@moonlight
- Banana7!Router$JazzHands
- kangaroo.pancake.laser.biscuit
While these may seem like silly words thrown together, that’s almost the whole point of them. A passphrase should strike the balance between being easy to remember and hard for hackers to break. The randomness of each word or term is the beauty of this type of protection.
When to Use a Passphrase Instead of a Password
Both passwords and phrases can be used and secured effectively. However, passphrases, due to their longer length and increased randomness, typically offer more disorder, making them more secure than regular passwords. While a 14-character password can also be strong, it’s often harder to remember.
Most security standards now allow the use of passphrases as an alternative to passwords, and opting for a passphrase is generally considered more secure. The most notable recommendation is to use the longest possible password or passphrase for optimal security.
5 Reasons Why a Passphrase is Better than a Standard Password
- Easier to remember: A random collection of symbols and numbers can be difficult to memorize. A passphrase, however, is often easier to remember.
- Stronger security: Password-cracking tools often target 10-character passwords. Phrases should typically be longer and much harder for these tools to break.
- Less likely to be guessed: People tend to reuse simple passwords or stick with easily memorable ones, making them vulnerable to being guessed. Passphrases, on the other hand, are harder to predict.
- Longer character limits: Most major applications and operating systems support phrases up to 127 characters, allowing for stronger security.
- Meets complex requirements: Phrases easily satisfy complex password rules, including the use of punctuation and a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters.
10 Tips for Creating a Strong Passphrase
When creating a strong passphrase, remember that it doesn’t need to follow grammatical rules or be a complete sentence. Keep these guidelines in mind:
#1: Use 4+ Random Words – Combine unrelated words like kangaroo, laser, biscuit, and moonlight. The randomness boosts security.
#2: Add Numbers & Symbols – Sprinkle in characters like @, !, or 42 to increase complexity: Koala$Byte42!
#3: Capitalize Strategically – Mix uppercase and lowercase letters to throw off brute-force attempts: FirewallFairyFoundMe
#4: Avoid Common Phrases – Skip clichés like LetMeIn123 or Password1. Hackers love those.
#5: Make It Visual or Funny – Humour helps memory. Try something like: “WombatEncryptsWithVegemite”
#6: Include Local or Personal References – Use something meaningful but not guessable, like a Newcastle landmark or inside joke: HunterRiverBytesBack!
#7: Use a Sentence or Story – Turn your phrase into a quirky sentence: ThreeCatsJuggledPacketsAtMidnight
#8: Don’t Reuse Across Accounts – Each phrase should be unique. Reusing the same phrase over multiple accounts is like giving every door the same key.
#9: Avoid Personal Info – No birthdays, pet names, or business names. Keep it abstract and unpredictable.
#10: Test It for Memorability – Say it aloud. If it sticks in your head without being obvious, you’ve nailed it.
Ultimately, both passwords and passphrases are critical to the overall security standards within a business and its accounts. These login protections are the first line of defence between your private data and the cybercriminals seeking to exploit them.
Ensuring that your data and systems are safe and secure, is vital to a business’s operations. The potential costs of a data breach at the hands of systems that were not properly protected could be astronomical.
Not sure how best to proceed with securing your systems?
Get in touch with Adept IT Solutions today! You can contact us via phone at 1300 423 378 or simply email us at info@adept-it.com.au. We look forward to hearing from you, and securing your systems today!
