pword

Pword is an informal shorthand for password, a secret string used to verify a user’s identity to a computer system, service, or application. In software development and security discussions, pword is sometimes used as a variable name or placeholder for authentication credentials. Passwords are intended to prevent unauthorized access when combined with other controls and policies yet remain memorable to legitimate users.

Common characteristics of a strong pword include sufficient length, unpredictability, and uniqueness across accounts. Experts recommend using long passphrases, a mix of characters, and avoiding common words, personal data, or reused phrases. Users are advised not to share passwords, write them in insecure places, or use the same pword for multiple sites.

Storage should be handled securely: passwords are typically not stored in plain text but are transformed using salted, slow hashing algorithms such as bcrypt, Argon2, or scrypt. Password managers can help generate and store complex pwords and autofill them across devices, reducing the risk of exposure. Common attacks include brute-force, dictionary attacks, credential stuffing, phishing, and keylogging; defense relies on strong pwords, MFA, and phishing-resistant authentication.

In recent years, there has been a shift toward passwordless authentication, using methods such as WebAuthn, hardware security keys, and biometric factors, often in combination with MFA. Organizations often enforce password lifecycles, minimum complexity, and account lockouts to limit risk, while encouraging users to adopt password managers and enable multi-factor authentication.