Creating a strong password
Having a strong password for your Beanstalk account is extremely important. Here we'll talk about what it takes to create a strong password that's easy to remember.
Strong, Not Painful
A strong password does not necessarily means a cryptic password. Sure, passwords like "F4e#8ub$3lO" are very strong but they are also very hard to remember. That makes people write them down in insecure places (like a Post-It note), thus dramatically reducing the security of the password. That's why it's important to make sure that your password is memorable.
We recommend using a password in Beanstalk like "alien burger dive newyork". This is often referred to as a haystack and it's secure because of it's length. The trick to a haystack is to use completely random words that make no sense, but that increase the size of your password. Never use words that are relevant to your persona (I love fishing), but use word combinations that will stick in your mind.
Password Strength Check List
Here's a short compilation of tips that should help you create a really strong password:
- Your password should be at least 8 characters long.
- If you are using a complex password, make sure to include non-alpha numeric characters (spaces, periods, etc)
- If you choose haystack, use at least 4 words, separated by spaces or periods (or some other character). Never use words that are relevant to your personality. That means no names, addresses, cellphone numbers, cities, birth dates, etc. Remember, a great password is always random nonsense.
Enforce Strong Passwords in Beanstalk
Account owners can further enhance security of their account by enforcing strong passwords.
Further Reading
If you want to learn more about password usability, we recommend reading this great article by Thomas Baekdal.