Passwords are the first line of defense for almost everything you do online, and most people's are not good enough. This episode breaks down what makes a password strong, shares some surprisingly easy tricks for creating ones you can actually remember, and explains why the old approach of "one password for everything" is a problem.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why the days of short, simple passwords are over, and what the new standard looks like
• The "phrase method" for creating passwords that are both long and easy to remember
• How the first-letter trick works and why it creates surprisingly strong passwords
• Why you should use a different password for your email, banking, and other important accounts
• What kinds of passwords you should never use (your name, your pet's name, "password" -- yes, people still do this)
• Where to find reputable tools online for testing the strength of a password

This is part one of a two-part series on passwords. Part two covers password management software: how to stop memorizing and start letting a tool do the work.

Have a topic you'd like Frank to cover? Reach out at [email protected].

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