passwords

Passwords are secret strings used to verify a user’s identity within a computer system. They are the most common form of credential in digital authentication and can be made up of letters, numbers, and symbols, or be longer passphrases consisting of multiple words. The strength of a password depends on its length, randomness, and resistance to guessing or cracking.

Common weaknesses include reuse across services, short or predictable passwords, and simple patterns. Attack methods include credential stuffing (using leaked credentials from one site on another), brute force and dictionary attacks, and phishing that tricks the user into revealing the password.

Best practices include using long, unique passwords for each account; generating random passwords or memorable passphrases; using a password manager to store and autofill credentials; enabling multi-factor authentication where available; and being cautious of phishing and malware that can capture keystrokes or credentials. Do not share passwords, and avoid writing them where others can access.

Passwords are typically stored by servers in hashed form with a unique salt for each user, and protected with a slow, memory-intensive hashing function such as Argon2, bcrypt, scrypt, or PBKDF2. This reduces risk in case of a database breach. Password managers and hardware authenticators can help users manage complex credentials and strengthen authentication.

On policy and adoption, organizations increasingly balance password requirements with user convenience and security, often emphasizing multi-factor authentication and breach monitoring rather than frequent forced resets. Education about phishing and secure handling remains a core defense.