The most secure words aren't real words. A dedicated password cracker can write a program that tries every word in the dictionary until one clicks--so pick one that isn't in any dictionary. If a total gibberish word (such as jgjoiw) is hard to remember, incorporate numbers (strum99), intentionally-misplaced punctuation (Sil!icon), or just an extra letter (wwatusi).

2torial #0499: Learn2 Choose and Use a Password (Continued) Eliminate the obvious Take a few minutes to think like a password-cracker. If you were trying to break into your account, what combinations would you try? The ideal password is a word, term or phrase that's personally meaningful and therefore memorable, but so far removed from its original context as to place it beyond the reach of the educated guesser.   Avoid the bumper sticker syndrome. The world is full of opportunities for us to announce our interests and affinities: bumper stickers, custom license plates, our online names. Resist the temptation to make your password a means of self-expression. If you're an avid sailor, stay away from passwords like port or starboard.   On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with a password that holds a particular connotation for you, but the subject it evokes shouldn't be one that others would associate with you. Your co-workers (or anyone glancing on the pictures in your cubicle) may know you as a sailor, but chances are they don't know the name of the boy who sat in front of you during seventh grade math class. Step 3