Type 7 passwords are a new form of strong password that uses 7 random words strung together to create a complex and secure passphrase. This type of password was designed to be both easy to remember and hard to crack.
How are Type 7 passwords created?
Type 7 passwords are created by selecting 7 random words from a large word list and putting them together in a passphrase. For example, a Type 7 password might look like: correcthorsebatterystaplegenuineavoid
The words are selected randomly, with no connection between them. This ensures maximum security and unpredictability. The random selection from a large word list makes these passwords very difficult to crack through brute force or dictionary attacks.
Why are 7 random words more secure?
Type 7 passwords are extremely secure because of their length and randomness. Here’s why:
- Length – At 7 words, Type 7 passwords are very long, usually between 28-40 characters. Longer passwords are exponentially harder to crack.
- Randomness – With 7 randomly selected words, there are no patterns for hackers to exploit. True randomness ensures strong security.
- No common phrases – Avoiding common phrases and sayings prevents dictionary attacks.
- Easy to remember – Random words are easier to remember than complex character strings.
With a sufficiently large word list, there are many possible combinations to choose from. Even using a small 1000 word list would provide over 289 billion possible 7 word passwords!
Why are random word passphrases better than sentences?
Type 7 passwords use random words specifically to avoid sentences or phrases that might appear in common sayings or literature. Some reasons random words are more secure:
- Avoids dictionary attacks – Sentences or phrases are more vulnerable to pre-computed dictionary attacks.
- Less predictable patterns – Sentences tend to follow predictable grammar and structure.
- Wider selection of words – Random words are selected from a list 10x larger than typical vocabulary.
By avoiding sentences and phrases, Type 7 passwords remain completely unpredictable and difficult for even sophisticated dictionary attacks to crack.
How to create a strong Type 7 password
Here are some tips for creating a robust Type 7 password:
- Use a random word generator to select 7 truly random words from a large word list.
- Avoid selecting words that are connected or may form a coherent phrase.
- Mix up the word types – use nouns, verbs and adjectives.
- Use both lowercase and capital letters randomly.
- Include numbers or symbols between some words.
You can test your password strength using an online strength checker. A strong Type 7 password will take centuries to brute force crack.
Examples of strong Type 7 passwords
Here are some examples of secure 7 word passphrases:
- correcthorsebatterystaplegenuineavoid
- CatDog717House$Car?Tree
- lemonade34lampshadesubmarineHome
As long as the words are randomly selected and no patterns are present, any 7 word passphrase will be incredibly strong.
How to remember Type 7 passwords
The great thing about Type 7 passphrases is that they are both strong and memorable. Here are some tips to easily remember them:
- Create a visual story or image in your mind using the words.
- Break it up and remember the first 3-4 words separately from the last 3-4.
- Say it out loud when creating and entering it to reinforce the memory.
- Practice typing it from memory several times after creating it.
Our brains are great at remembering stories and images. With a small amount of practice, a 7 word passphrase can become very easy to recall.
Should I use Type 7 passwords for all my accounts?
Type 7 passwords provide excellent security due to their length and randomness. However, they may be overkill for low-security accounts. Here are some guidelines on when to use them:
- Highly sensitive accounts – email, banking, finance, crypto wallets
- Accounts containing private information – medical, insurance, tax records
- Accounts requiring high security – work, corporate networks
- Low sensitivity accounts – news sites, forums, retail accounts
For your most sensitive, high-value online accounts, a Type 7 password is highly recommended and worth the effort to manage and remember. For low priority accounts, shorter passwords may be sufficient.
Should I change Type 7 passwords periodically?
With extremely strong passphrases like Type 7, periodic changing of the password is less important. However, some sources still recommend updating them periodically:
- If there is any indication of a breach, change it immediately.
- Change it every 1-2 years for accounts with sensitive data.
- Change it every 5 years for most other accounts.
Since Type 7 passwords are very resistant to cracking, changing them too frequently may be unnecessary. But periodic updates are still smart practice for optimal security hygiene.
Conclusion
Type 7 passwords usher in a new era of highly secure and memorable passphrases. By combining password length and randomness with the brain’s ability to remember stories, Type 7 passwords offer the best of both worlds. For your most sensitive accounts, taking the time to create and memorize a Type 7 password could provide peace of mind for years to come.
