Creating a Secure Encryption Passphrase
The first step in protecting your online privacy is creating a secure Encryption Passphrase. This means one that a computer program or individual won't easily be able to guess in a short period of time. It should be easy for you to remember, but hard for others to guess.
To help you create a secure Encryption Passphrase, we've created a feature that lets you know immediately how safe your passphrase is as soon as you create it.
Note: our only requirement is that the Encryption Passphrase must be at least 8 characters in length. However, please also use the tips below as a general guideline for creating a secure Encryption Passphrase.
- include punctuation marks and/or numbers
- use a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters
- the longer, the better (spaces are permitted when creating your BackJack Encryption Passphrase)
- include similar looking substitutions, such as the number zero for the letter 'O' or $ for the letter 'S'
- create a unique acronym
- deliberately misspell words or include phonetic replacements, such as 'Luv 2 Laf' for Love to Laugh
Things to Avoid:
- don't use a password that contains personal information (ie. name, birthday, important dates, etc.)
- don't use words or acronyms that can be found in a dictionary
- don't use keyboard patterns (asdf) or sequential numbers (1234)
- don't make your password all numbers, uppercase letters or lowercase letters
- don't use repeating characters (aa11)
- don't use a password that is listed as an example of how to pick a good password
Tips for keeping your passphrase secure:
- never share your passphrase with anyone
- never send your passphrase by email
- document and store only in a safe location (ie. safety deposit box)
