World Password Day

What is World Password Day?

Every year, World Password Day (also known as National Password Day) rolls around on the first Thursday of May. When is World Password Day this year? It's on May 1, 2025. Mark your calendars—it's the perfect time to reflect on your digital security habits. In a world where cyberthreats are growing exponentially, passwords remain the first line of defense for your personal and professional accounts.

But let’s be honest—how many of us are still using sequences like 123456 or basic words (password, anyone?) as our go-to password today? This Password Day, let’s dive into password best practices, explore password tips with a strong password example, and answer burning questions like, "How long should a password be?" and "What is the strongest password in the world?" By the end of this blog, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to create a strong password and keep your accounts secure.

Why passwords matter more than ever

Let’s face it: passwords are the gatekeepers of our digital lives. From social media accounts to online banking, they protect our most sensitive information. But many of us still use weak, easily guessable passwords. According to recent analysis, 123456, password, and qwerty remain the most commonly used passwords.

While every password in the world is vulnerable to hacking, the weak ones are especially easy to crack. This reality underscores the importance of having strong, unique passwords to safeguard your accounts. But what makes a password strong? A complex password combines length and randomness, and each password you set should be unique. Think of these rules as your golden ticket to online safety.

Password best practices

Creating a complex password might sound like a hassle, but it’s one of the simplest ways to protect yourself online. Here are some password tips to help you get started:

• Use a mix of characters: A strong password example includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Think p@Ss7w0rD_9zX instead of password123.
• Go long: When it comes to passwords, size matters. The recommended password length is at least 12 characters. The longer your password, the harder it is to crack.
• Avoid common words and phrases: Hackers use tools that can guess dictionary words in seconds. Steer clear of obvious choices like admin, password, or your pet’s name.
• Don’t reuse passwords: Using the same password for multiple accounts is like using one key for your house, car, and office. If one gets compromised, they all do.
• Update regularly: Data breaches happen, and today’s password might not be secure tomorrow. Make it a habit to change your passwords every few months.
• Educate employees: Provide a password safety chart to highlight dos and don’ts of password creation.
• Monitor password hygiene: Solutions like ManageEngine ManageEngine can simplify the enforcement of stronger passwords and improve compliance.

Password safety chart

To help visualize what makes a strong password versus a weak one, consider this simple password safety chart:

What not to do when creating a strong password

While we’re on the topic of password best practices, let’s address the elephant in the room: When creating a strong password, which of the following should you not do? Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Using personal information: Your birthday, anniversary, or favorite sports team might be easy to remember, but they’re also easy to guess.
• Sequential characters: Avoid patterns like 12345 or abcdef. These are the first combinations hackers try.
• Repeating characters: Passwords like aaabbb or 111222 are a big no-no.
• Writing it down: Storing your password on a sticky note or in an unsecured file defeats the purpose of having a strong, secret password.

The strongest password in the world: Myth or reality?

Is there such a thing as the strongest password in the world? Technically, yes—but it’s not something you’d want to use without help. A password like xq29zP!Lm7@wR4 is virtually uncrackable, but it’s also impossible to remember. That’s where password managers come in. They can generate, store, and autofill passwords for you, so you don’t have to worry about memorizing them.

However, for situations where you need to remember a password—like your master password for the manager itself or a device login—it’s important to strike a balance between complexity and usability. One way to do this is by using passphrases: a series of random words strung together, like PurpleTigerDances@Midnight. Not only are they easier to remember, but they’re also highly secure when created correctly.

Password 2025: What does the future hold?

As we look ahead to 2025, the password landscape is set to evolve. Biometric authentication, MFA, and passwordless login options are gaining traction. However, passwords aren’t going away anytime soon. Many legacy systems and applications still rely on passwords as their primary authentication method, and transitioning to newer technologies can be costly and time-consuming for organizations. That’s why it’s crucial to stay informed and adapt to the newest password policy best practices.

ManageEngine: Your partner in password management

At this point, you might be thinking, "This all sounds great, but what if I get locked out of my account?" Enter ManageEngine—a game-changing solution from ManageEngine. Designed to simplify identity security, ManageEngine empowers users to reset their passwords, unlock accounts, and update expired passwords—all without IT intervention.

Here’s why ManageEngine is a must-have for enterprises:

• Self-service password reset: Employees can reset forgotten passwords in seconds, reducing downtime and freeing up IT resources.
• Password expiry notifications: Never miss a password update again with timely reminders.
• Password policy enforcer: Ensure that your users choose strong passwords that meet your organization's password policy.
• Multi-factor authentication: Add an extra layer of security with MFA, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive information.
• Seamless integration: ManageEngine supports SSO for third-party apps, centralizing passwords and simplifying logins.

By leveraging ManageEngine, you can enforce password policy best practices across your organization while providing a seamless user experience. It’s the ultimate tool for celebrating World Password Day—not just today, but every day.

Let’s make every day World Password Day

As we wrap up our journey through World Password Day, one thing is clear: passwords are the foundation of our digital security. By following password best practices, creating strong passwords, and using solutions like ManageEngine, we can protect ourselves and our organizations from cyberthreats. So, this World Password Day, take a moment to review your passwords, update them if needed, and spread the word about the importance of password safety. After all, a secure password today means a safer tomorrow.