Password vs. Passphrase: Differences & Which Is Better? | Okta (2024)

FAQs

Password vs. Passphrase: Differences & Which Is Better? | Okta? ›

Passphrases are easier to remember than passwords. A random collection of numbers and symbols can be difficult to keep track of, which can mean that users often make it simpler to remember them. A passphrase is usually not as hard to remember. Passphrases are difficult to crack through brute force.

Passphrases are difficult to crack through brute force. Many password-cracking tools work to break down 10-character passwords. Since passphrases are longer, they can be much more secure and safe from these tools. Passwords are easily hacked by password-cracking tools and robots as well as by humans.

We recommend that you use passphrases, as they are longer and easier to remember than a password made up of random, mixed characters. A passphrase is a memorized phrase consisting of a sequence of mixed words with or without spaces. Your passphrase should be at least 4 words and 15 characters in length.

Because a passphrase is longer and more complex than a traditional password, it is considered a more secure authentication method. The concept behind a passphrase is that longer words or phrases are more resistant to brute force attacks (when attackers attempt to crack passwords by trying different combinations).

Functionally, passphrases are identical to passwords in that they are kept secret and used to authenticate user access. However, passphrases tend to be longer, more complex, and yet, easier to remember than traditional passwords, all-in-all making them more difficult for hackers to crack.

A passphrase is a sequence of words or characters used to authenticate or secure access to a computer system, network, or encrypted data. It is similar to a password but typically longer. A commonly used example of a passphrase is “correct horse battery staple”.

Instead of trying to create a new and complex password, choose a memorable phrase and use the first letter of each word. For example, you could use the phrase, “I love my dog.” and add some numbers and symbols, so the password would look like “Ilmd. 100%” Avoid common words because a common word is easier to crack.

A strong passphrase contains a combination of different types of characters, such as uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Still, you can make your passphrase even stronger by following some of the same rules from when you learned how to create a strong password.

Use passphrases: The most important factor in password strength is length. Passphrases are a string of words, like a favorite song lyric or quote. These can be both long and easy to remember!

Is a 4 word password strong? ›

Welcome to the forum! If this is for your Bitwarden master password, 4 words would be the absolute minimum (if you are really having trouble with longer passphrases). Using 5 words is sufficiently secure, and you can use 6 or more if you are a high-value target or if you tend to worry a lot about your vault security.

Passphrases are the more secure version of passwords

Passphrases are made up of four or more random words making them longer than a traditional password. This makes them harder to guess but easy to remember. Changing your passwords to a passphrase is a great way to improve your cyber security.

Password: m#P52s@ap$V

This is a great example of a strong password. It's strong, long, and difficult for someone else to guess. It uses more than 10 characters with letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and symbols, and includes no obvious personal information or common words.

A Passphrase can be a viable solution by using abbreviations. Consider the following examples: "Where oh where has my little 1 gone?" This passphrase may be too LONG for many web sites or web services.

Some of the disadvantages of using passphrases are that some websites and apps may have low character limits, it's impossible to remember passphrases for every single one of your accounts and they're still vulnerable to being exposed in public data breaches.

Passphrases can be created that are almost impossible to crack. Although cybercriminals have an arsenal of password cracking tools, even the most advanced tools are not be able to brute force a passphrase that uses random words and is of significant length. The same cannot be said for passwords that are much shorter.

Passphrases can be created that are almost impossible to crack. Although cybercriminals have an arsenal of password cracking tools, even the most advanced tools are not be able to brute force a passphrase that uses random words and is of significant length. The same cannot be said for passwords that are much shorter.

A passphrase is very similar to a password, but instead of being a single word or string of random characters, symbols, or numbers, a passphrase is a series of words that may or may not include spaces. Not all security systems support spaces as a character.

SSH passphrases protect your private key from being used by someone who doesn't know the passphrase. Without a passphrase, anyone who gains access to your computer has the potential to copy your private key. For example, family members, coworkers, system administrators, and hostile actors could gain access.