How Secure is your password?

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Password security is crucial in protecting your online accounts and sensitive information from unauthorized access. A strong password is one that is difficult for an attacker to guess or crack, even with the use of automated tools. In 2023, as computing power and technology continue to advance, attackers may be able to crack weaker passwords more easily, which makes it essential to use strong and complex passwords.

One best practice for password security is to follow the guidelines set forth by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST is a federal agency that provides cybersecurity standards and guidelines for organizations and individuals to follow. The NIST guidelines recommend using long and complex passwords that are at least 12 characters long, include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. The guidelines also suggest using a passphrase, which is a longer sequence of words that are easy to remember but difficult for attackers to guess.

Another best practice is to avoid using commonly used passwords, such as “password” or “123456,” as they are easily guessable by attackers. It’s also important to use a unique password for each online account to prevent attackers from gaining access to all your accounts if one password is compromised. Password managers can be a useful tool in generating and storing complex passwords securely.

In addition to using strong passwords, implementing two-factor authentication can provide an added layer of security. Two-factor authentication requires a second form of identification, such as a fingerprint or a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password, to access an account. This makes it more difficult for attackers to gain access to your accounts even if they have your password.

In summary, strong and complex passwords are crucial in protecting your sensitive information from unauthorized access. By following the NIST guidelines and best practices for password security, you can ensure that your passwords are secure and difficult to guess or crack.

The table below shows how long it takes to crack a password in 2023.

Password Length Numbers Only Lowercase Letters Only Upper and lowercase Letters Numbers +Upper and lowercase Letters Numbers +Upper and lowercase Letters + Symbol
5 Instantly Instantly Instantly Instantly Instantly
6 Instantly Instantly Instantly Instantly Instantly
7 Instantly Instantly 1 second 2 seconds 4 seconds
8 Instantly Instantly 28 seconds 2 minutes 5 minutes
9 Instantly 3 seconds 24 minutes 2 hours 6 hours
10 Instantly 1 minute 21 hours 5 days 2 weeks
11 Instantly 32 minutes 1 month 10 months 3 years
12 1 second 14 hours 6 years 53 years 226 years
13 5 seconds 2 weeks 332 years 3k years 15k years
14 52 seconds 1 year 17k years 202k years 1m years
15 9 minutes 27 years 898k years 12m years 77m years
16 1 hour 713 years 46m years 779m years 5b years
17 14 hours 18k years 2b years 48b years 380b years
18 6 days 481k years 126b years 2t years 26t years
Source: https://www.hivesystems.io/