The Use of Suggested Strong Passwords

Companies like Apple and Google offer to generate "strong passwords" for your accounts. But are these suggestions truly secure, or are they just a convenient trap?

Pros:

• Convenience: Suggested passwords are undeniably convenient. They eliminate the need for complex creation and memorization.
• Security by Design: Companies like Apple prioritize user security and may employ sophisticated algorithms to generate passwords far stronger than what most users could create themselves.

Cons:

• Potential Leaks: If a company's password generation algorithm is compromised, all suggested passwords could become vulnerable. While rare, it's not an impossible scenario.
• Lack of Uniqueness: While strong, there's a chance suggested passwords might be reused across different accounts within the same ecosystem.

The Verdict:

Suggested passwords can be a good starting point, especially for low-risk accounts. However, relying solely on them poses security risks. Here's what you can do:

• Treat them as a Base: Use a suggested password and add your own personal twist – a specific symbol, number sequence, or word.
• Prioritize Uniqueness: Never use the same suggested password across different accounts, even within the same ecosystem.
• Consider a Password Manager: For maximum security, pair suggested passwords with a password manager that stores them securely and generates truly unique passwords for each account.

Go Further...

• A Quick Guide to Password Managers
• Beyond Strong Passwords
• Power Up Your Passwords