Password Security Guide

Password security is critical. This guide explains what makes a password strong, how entropy works, and why passphrases are often better than random passwords.

Password entropy explained

Entropy measures password randomness in bits. Each bit doubles the number of possible combinations. A password with 80 bits of entropy has 2^80 possible combinations — roughly 1.2 x 10^24, which would take billions of years to brute force.

Passphrases vs random passwords

• • Random: xK9#mP2$vL7!nQ4 — high entropy but hard to remember
• • Passphrase: correct-horse-battery-staple — high entropy AND memorable
• • The AHX Password Generator supports both modes