Paroolid

Paroolid are secret strings used to verify a person’s identity when accessing a system, service, or device. In everyday Estonian usage paroolid refer to the passwords that protect accounts online, apps, or networks. In digital security they should be long, random, and unique for each service, and are most effective when combined with an additional authentication factor in multi-factor authentication.

Passwords are typically stored as salted hashes rather than in plaintext. A unique salt for each password prevents precomputed attacks, and slow hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2 help deter brute-force attempts. Strong practice also includes avoiding predictable patterns and ensuring minimum length, while modern guidance often favors long passphrases over short, complex strings.

Attack methods targeting passwords include brute-force and dictionary attacks, credential stuffing using breached data, and phishing that tricks users into revealing their passwords. Defenses include account lockouts, rate limiting, MFA, and user education about identifying phishing attempts and suspicious links. Regular breach monitoring and prompt response to compromised credentials are important components of security.

Best practices for individuals and organizations emphasize using a password manager to generate and store unique, high-entropy passwords for every service. Enabling two-factor authentication adds a significant barrier against account compromise. Avoid reusing passwords across sites, and update credentials promptly following any known data breach. Policy guidance varies, but there is a common shift toward stronger authentication methods and away from frequent forced password changes, with emphasis on security and usability.