Passphrases vs Passwords: What’s the Difference?

Passphrases are another way to create secure passwords. However, there are some differences between passphrases and passwords in terms of their structure, memorability and security. Passphrases tend to be longer, easier to remember and overall more secure than most user-created passwords. However, a strong, randomly generated password is equally secure as a strong passphrase.

Continue reading to learn more about passphrases and passwords, the key differences between them and which is better to use.

What Is a Passphrase?

A passphrase is a combination of words that forms a memorable phrase and is used as a password to log in to online accounts. These phrases do not have to form a complete or grammatically correct sentence. Some passphrases use spaces or special characters like hyphens to separate the words within the phrase. Passphrases tend to be longer than traditional passwords because they consist of multiple words strung together. A strong passphrase is at least 16 characters long and uses random words to form the phrase. The phrase should also include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols to make it more complex.

Examples of passphrases include:

• popular sauna baseball motorcycle stomach
• Bicycle-chicken4-5cience-l@ptop-aisle
• Yellow!stasticspl@ne10utside#regular

What Is a Password?

A password is a string of characters used to grant users access to their online accounts. To create a strong password and protect personal data, users should use a random and unique combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, symbols and numbers that is at least 16 characters long. Users should avoid including any personal information, sequential letters or numbers, and commonly used dictionary words.

Many users tend to follow poor password practices such as using weak passwords or reusing passwords across multiple accounts. Although weak passwords are easier to remember, using weak passwords allows cybercriminals to easily guess your passwords and gain unauthorized access to your accounts. Reusing passwords places multiple accounts at risk of becoming compromised and taken over.

What Makes  Passphrases Different From Traditional Passwords?

Passphrases are a form of passwords used to protect online accounts from unauthorized access. However, passphrases differ from traditional passwords in terms of their structure, memorability and security. 

Structure

Although passphrases and passwords both should be at least 16 characters long, passphrases are typically longer than passwords because passphrases use a string of words while passwords use a string of characters.

Memorability

Most users have a hard time remembering strong passwords because of their length and complexity, which is why they resort to using weak passwords. Passphrases are much easier to remember than traditional passwords. They are made up of multiple words rather than a random combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Passphrases are easier to remember without sacrificing the security of your accounts.

Security

A strong password is just as secure as a strong passphrase. However, users have a hard time remembering strong passwords, so they resort to using weak passwords or reusing passwords across multiple accounts. If a user protects their accounts with weak passwords, they are more susceptible to password-related attacks such as brute force or credential stuffing. 

Since passphrases are longer, they are considered to be more secure than one-word passwords. Passphrases can be more complex and longer than traditional passwords, making them difficult for cybercriminals to crack. However, similar to passwords, passphrases are susceptible to cyber attacks if they are poorly created. If a passphrase includes personal information, words that correlate, or if the passphrase is reused across multiple accounts, the passphrase can easily be compromised by cybercriminals.

Which Is Better: Passphrases or Passwords?

Strong passwords and passphrases are both equally secure ways to protect a user’s online accounts and personal data. However, passphrases are overall more secure to use than most user-generated passwords because they are long, complex and easier to remember. Passphrases are made up of words rather than a string of characters, making them memorable for the user. Since passphrases are made up of random words, they tend to be longer and more complex too, especially if they incorporate uppercase letters, numbers and symbols. You can use either passwords or passphrases to protect your online accounts as long as you are following password security best practices when creating them.

People should use strong passwords if they:

• Use a system with a strict character limit
• Have a reliable and secure password storage method
• Randomly generate their passwords

People should use strong passphrases if they:

• Use a system with longer and more complex character limits
• Need an easy-to-remember login credential that they use often
• Generate a unique passphrase made up of random and unrelated words

Manage Passphrases and Passwords With Keeper®

Although passphrases are easy to remember, people have to deal with so many accounts that it can be difficult to remember a unique passphrase for each account. To prevent reusing passphrases, users should use a password manager to store all of their passwords.

A password manager is a tool that securely stores and manages your personal information in an encrypted vault. Your personal information is protected by multiple layers of encryption and can only be accessed using a strong master password. With a password manager, you can identify any weak passwords and passphrases, and strengthen them using the built-in password or passphrase generator.

Keeper Password Manager is zero trust and zero knowledge, which ensures that only you have access to your digital vault. Sign up for a free trial of Keeper Password Manager to store and manage your passphrases.