How many characters does a password need?

While I can't be 100% correct - I believe it was 8 characters minimum. That seems to "stick" in my head.

JPConway

 

it was 6 cause mine is 6 characters as of now.

 

Orrrrrrrrrr - it could be six characters minimum.

Did I mention I was old and forgetful? lol :down:

JPConway

 

Fire in Japan passwords in most sites are over 16 characters. They have the most complicated password system I've ever seen. Point is aim high 12 characters or more on a new password. If anybody learned anything in the last 2 weeks being hacked is not fun. I strongly recommend this for everyone. Letters numbers symbols all good. If you change your password on hotmail they have a meter showing how strong your password is. Check that out before you put in a new password.

News they tracked down the hacker server to Malaysia....

 

6 for older accounts 8 for newer accounts but thats the minimum u could pick a longer password strongest ones are letters n numbers n if its case sensitive change the case so my password could be gARy160974 that would make it a strong password

Btw thats not my password

 

The method I use for password generation is this. Pick a song, for example "Mary had a Little Lamb". Take the first letter of each word from the first verse, or whatever seems appropriate.

"Mary had a little lamb it's fleece was white as snow"

mhallifwwas -- change some letters into numbers or symbols. 3ha!!if##as

String three or four of these song snippets together and you have a pretty random password not based on any personal information or dates.

Using any part of your username in a password is not really secure. Brute force methods would try all instances of your username/userid with upper and lower cases. Remember, not all sites lock you out after three tries. These are the kinds of sites that identity thieves go for first. You have to pick something significant to you and then don't tell anyone. For example, if you say your favorite movie is "Revenge of the Nerds 3" on Facebook or any other site that aggregates personal information, use a different favorite movie for your security questions!

It's a pain, for sure, but worth it in the end I think.

 

I just use **password**! Now who would ever think of that. :biglaugh2:

 

A password must be at least one character long, because you can't just leave it blank. Oh, wait. You mean for the PSNetwork login? Hell, I don't know because I haven't updated to 3.61 yet. :boxed:

 

best Password for now would be this: 1234567890 Easy to remember... But don't tell anyone...

LOL!

 

Most sites require you to use at least 6-8 characters in your password. The best passwords are 100% random and not used for more than one login. The length of the "best" passwords get longer as code breaking software gets more advanced. For example, in the mid 90's people with access to secure information were recommended to use 10 random characters. Today our passwords are recommended to be 22 characters. How long your password needs to be is more about how comfortable you feel with the site. On something such as the PSN 10-15 random characters should be good. Remember that the hackers didn't figure out our passwords, they got them from the servers.

I got a bit off subject there, but there's 2 things I can't stress enough about passwords.
1. Never use the same password twice.
2. Use a combination of random characters.

I like to keep a notebook next to my computer with a list off all my site's login information. If you want help making a random password you could try a site such as Strong Password Generator. They also offer some good tips on that page. I've heard some good things about Passpack Free Online Password Manager which is an online site that stores all of your passwords. I've never used it, but it may be usefull for some people.

 

Same For Me .. I Have To Think Of New Password As Well

:3

 

Thanks Kramdragon thats helps us alot for those in need of a new password.

 

What's the point if Sony is just going to give out my password to strangers?

 

There you go giving my password out..

 

You can't blame all of Sony. My information was only given out by the PSN and SOE, but my Walkman has never shared my personal info.

 

;D Walkman. I have a Sony Watchman (B&W). It still works last time I looked. I had traded for a TV that I bought for $10. ;D

 

I have been doing that for a long time.

 

Oh sorry hun. Well can't use the same one as you so now I've got dibs on **cutieisland**. Keep that under your emote. :thumbsup:

 

Playing devil's advocate, this highlights the fact that most identity theft is committed by people with physical access to your information!