5 Password Myths Debunked: What Really Makes a Password Secure

When it comes to password security, there's no shortage of advice—but not all of it is accurate. Many of the "rules" we've been following for years are outdated or were never effective to begin with. Let's debunk five common password myths and explore what truly makes a password secure in today's digital landscape.

Myth #1: Frequent Password Changes Increase Security

For years, security policies at companies and websites have required password changes every 30, 60, or 90 days. The theory was that regularly changing passwords would minimize the impact of undetected breaches. However, research has shown that mandatory password changes often lead to weaker security.

The Truth:

When forced to change passwords frequently, people tend to create predictable patterns. Instead of creating entirely new passwords, most users make minor modifications to their existing passwords (e.g., changing "Password1!" to "Password2!"). These patterns are easily guessable by attackers.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) now recommends against mandatory periodic password changes in their Digital Identity Guidelines. Instead, they suggest changing passwords only when there's evidence of compromise.

Better Approach: Use unique, strong passwords for each account and change them only when there's a suspected breach. Use a password manager to keep track of all your credentials.

Myth #2: Complex Character Requirements Always Make Passwords Stronger

Many systems enforce password complexity rules requiring uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. These requirements were designed to increase entropy (randomness) in passwords.

The Truth:

While character diversity does help, strict complexity requirements often lead to predictable patterns. When forced to add numbers, most people add "1" or "123" at the end. When required to use a special character, "!" is the most common choice. Attackers know these patterns and account for them in their password-cracking algorithms.

Additionally, these requirements often result in passwords that are difficult for humans to remember but still relatively easy for computers to crack.

Better Approach: Focus on password length over complexity. A longer passphrase like "correct horse battery staple" (preferably with some unique modifications) is typically more secure than a shorter complex password like "P@s$w0rd!" and easier to remember.

Myth #3: Your Password Is Secure If You Replace Letters with Numbers and Symbols

A common password creation technique is replacing letters with similar-looking numbers or symbols (e.g., changing "password" to "p@$$w0rd"). Many believe this simple substitution significantly increases security.

The Truth:

These substitutions are so common that they're built into every password-cracking tool. Programs like Hashcat and John the Ripper automatically try these substitutions when attempting to crack passwords.

Additionally, when these substitutions are used on common words or phrases (like "password" or "letmein"), the resulting passwords remain highly predictable.

Better Approach: Instead of relying on simple substitutions, use random words or phrases without obvious connections. Add truly random numbers and symbols throughout the password, not just at the beginning or end.

Myth #4: If a Password Meter Shows "Strong," Your Password Is Secure

Many websites provide password strength meters that rate your password as you create it. It's tempting to trust these tools as an accurate measure of password security.

The Truth:

Password strength meters vary dramatically in quality. Many only check for basic criteria like length and character types without analyzing for common patterns or dictionary words. A password that rates as "strong" on one site might rate as "weak" on another.

For example, a password like "P@ssw0rd123!" might register as "strong" on some meters because it has length, uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols—but it's based on a common word with predictable substitutions and is highly insecure.

Better Approach: Don't rely solely on password strength meters. Use a password generator (like ours at RandomPassword.dev) to create truly random passwords, or create long passphrases with uncommon words and truly random modifications.

Myth #5: Writing Down Passwords Is Always Bad

"Never write down your passwords" has been standard security advice for decades. The fear is that written passwords could be found and used by unauthorized individuals.

The Truth:

The reality is more nuanced. For most people, the biggest threat isn't someone physically stealing their written passwords—it's remote attackers exploiting reused or weak passwords.

If writing down passwords helps you use strong, unique passwords for each account (instead of reusing the same password everywhere), the security benefit can outweigh the physical risk, especially for home users.

Better Approach: The ideal solution is using a reputable password manager to securely store your credentials. However, if you must write passwords down, store them securely away from your devices (not on a sticky note on your monitor), and don't label them explicitly with the account names.

What Really Makes a Password Secure

Now that we've debunked these myths, what truly matters for password security?

• Uniqueness: Each account should have its own password. This is arguably the most important factor—a strong password becomes worthless if it's exposed in one breach and you've used it elsewhere.
• Length: Longer passwords are generally more secure. Aim for at least 12-16 characters.
• Randomness: Truly random passwords are strongest. If creating memorable passwords, avoid predictable patterns and common substitutions.
• Management strategy: Having a system to manage your passwords—whether a password manager, a secure physical record, or a reliable memory technique—is essential.

Conclusion

Password security isn't about following arbitrary rules or outdated advice. It's about understanding the actual threats and implementing practices that effectively address them.

By focusing on uniqueness, length, and randomness—and using tools like password managers to help manage them all—you can significantly improve your security posture without making your digital life unnecessarily complicated.

Remember: the perfect password system balances security with usability. The most secure password in the world isn't helpful if you can't remember it or it's too cumbersome to use.