How is password strength determined?

Question asked by: mrquestion

Asked on: 06 Jan 2010

Many websites have a password strength checker.

The way these work does vary, but many of them first of all take length into account, with the shorter the password the less secure it is, this is because there are less combinations.

Think of it this way - if you have a password created of just letters, then with a one letter password there are 26 combinations (A - Z), but with two letters there are 26 x 26 combinations: loads more.

On this basis the longer the password the harder it is to crack.

Also strength checkers may look at whether there are recognisable dictionary words in the password and add more strength for what appears to be either a non-word password or better still one that mixes letters and numbers as these are harder to crack again.
By: knowitall
Replied at: 06 Jan 2010
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