How To Use a Password Manager
How you use a password manager varies slightly depending on which password manager you have. However, they all have similar functionality. To use a password manager, you first have to set your master password, set up...
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Why You Should Use a Random Password Generator
Roughly 212.4 million Americans were affected by data breaches in 2021, according to a report by Surfshark. Using a weak password is one of the root causes of a data breach. Passwords that contain dictionary words may be easier to memorize, but this also makes them much less challenging for attackers to crack.
A password generator removes the task of creating unique passwords for each platform. Keep reading to learn more about password generators, why you should use one and what to look for when selecting one for you and your team.
What Is a Password Generator?
A password generator is a tool that creates unique passwords. It is often used in partnership with a password management solution, allowing you to create strong secure passwords and store them in a digital vault. In turn, this also frees you from the task of having to memorize any credentials except for your master password.
Common Problems When Creating Passwords
With each Internet user having multiple online accounts, people tend to create passwords that are easy to remember. Unfortunately, this strategy usually results in users practicing poor password hygiene. Below are some of the common issues seen when creating passwords.
- Weak passwords — If your passwords contain dictionary words or they are under 12 characters, chances are your password strength is not up to standards. The fewer characters it has, the faster it is to crack. Cyberattackers also have tools and software to run through multiple combinations when attempting a dictionary or brute force attack.
- Password reuse — Reusing the same passwords across multiple accounts may save you the trouble of having to memorize multiple passwords, but this also means one breached account is equivalent to multiple breached accounts. If an attacker gets a hold of one set of credentials, they can use the same email address and password pairing across multiple platforms to see if you are guilty of password reuse.
- Slightly modified passwords — If you are using the same password but adding slight variations, you are not doing yourself any favors. Adding a single random number and an uppercase letter doesn’t make it that much harder for a cyberattacker to solve.
- Unsafe password storage — Keeping track of all of your passwords can be difficult. Unfortunately, writing passwords on a sticky note or saving passwords in an online document is not the answer. Additionally, sharing online credentials with coworkers through communication channels such as Slack will create a paper trail and increase your chances of becoming a data breach victim.
Why You Should Use a Strong Password Generator
Using a secure password generator is a great way to create strong passwords that are harder for attackers to guess. Below are a few reasons why you should use a password generator.
Removes a Top Risk of a Data Breach
As mentioned earlier, weak passwords are one of the main reasons for a data breach, and a password generator helps eliminate that risk. According to the 2022 Weak Password Report, 93% of the passwords used in brute force attacks include eight or more characters, whereas only 41% of passwords used in real attacks are 12 characters or longer.
Password generators allow you to customize your passwords and adjust the character length and whether it includes uppercase or lowercase letters, numbers and special characters. Every time you click “generate,” a new random password is created based on your criteria.
Humans tend to create weak passwords to make them easier to memorize. Below are some common traits of weak and strong passwords.
| Weak Passwords | Strong Passwords |
|---|---|
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Increases Team Productivity
Paired with a password manager, password generators create strong passwords and store them in your vault—removing the responsibility of memorizing them. Suppose you are revisiting a website or application where your credentials are available in your digital vault. In that case, the password manager will autofill your login details, saving you time and preventing you from exposing your details to any keylogging software used by a cyberattacker.
A cloud-based password manager with a generator will give you access to your credentials across multiple devices, allowing you to access your passwords whether you’re on a desktop, mobile device or tablet.
Strengthens Overall Security
Password generators are often used with a password management tool to help secure your online accounts. Although you can create strong passwords using a password generator, it might be difficult for you to memorize several different passwords without using a password management tool. Password managers provide an encrypted vault to protect your passwords and other information such as bank accounts, payment cards, addresses and more.
What to Look for in a Password Generator?
When seeking a password generator, look for one with the following characteristics and capabilities:
- Customizable password features — You should be able to adjust passwords to include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, special characters etc. The password generator should also allow you to change character length.
- Robust security and technology — Find a random password generator that offers 256-bit AES encryption, as it is virtually impossible to penetrate using brute-force methods.
- Incorporated with a password manager — Although you can seek a standalone password generator, it may be more valuable to find one that is incorporated within a password manager. A password management solution can help manage your credentials and save you the hassle of memorizing login details for every online account you own.
Why Choose Keeper for Generating Random Passwords
Although online password generators are available on their own, you should use a random password generator alongside a password manager like Keeper. Our zero-trust platform uses 256-bit AES encryption, ensuring that your passwords are always safe and secure. You can access your credentials on any device and operating system, making it easy to access your accounts anywhere.
Reach out to a team member to learn more about our business and enterprise packages. Want to try it out yourself? Take advantage of our 14-day free business trial to see how we can protect you and your organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are password generators safe?
Yes, password generators are safe. Passwords generated by a random generator are typically stronger than ones created by a human.
Can password generators prevent data breaches?
Yes, the fundamental purpose of a password generator is to create secure passwords. Not using weak passwords helps combat compromised credentials and stop cyberattackers from gaining access to unauthorized accounts.
Random password generator vs random passphrase generator: What is the difference?
A random password generator will create a string of characters to formulate your password, whereas a random passphrase generator will combine several words to create a phrase.
A user may choose to create a passphrase because it usually contains ordinary words, making it easier to remember. Though the passphrase may contain more characters, we wouldn’t recommend using dictionary words in a password or passphrase since it can be easier to crack in a dictionary attack.
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