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How To Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember 

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Most people struggle with passwords for one simple reason: the traditional advice is unrealistic. You’re told to create long, complex strings filled with numbers, symbols, and randomness — but you also have to remember them. That tension leads to the same predictable outcomes we see every day at Mindcore Technologies: weak passwords, reused passwords, or passwords stored unsafely. 

The truth is that memorable passwords can also be extremely secure when created the right way. The key is to build them around human memory, not against it. 

Below are practical, actionable rules to create strong passwords you can recall without writing them down or relying on insecure shortcuts. 

1. Forget “Complexity Rules” — Focus on Length Instead 

Cyber attackers now crack short passwords, even complex ones, in minutes. 
What they cannot crack easily is length

A password that is: 

  • 16–20 characters 
  • Built from unrelated words 
  • Easy for you to visualize 

…is far more secure than an 8-character jumble of symbols. 

Example: 
Weak: L@k3H0u$3 
Strong: CoffeeTigerWindowDance2025! 

The strong one is memorable and exponentially harder to crack. 

2. Use Passphrases Instead of Passwords 

Passphrases work because humans remember stories better than symbols. 

A great passphrase includes: 

  • 3–5 unrelated words 
  • Optional numbers or symbols 
  • A personal mental image (not personal info) 

Example: 
GuitarRainSkyBridge!17 

This method creates strength, unpredictability, and memorability. 

3. Make Your Passphrase Personal to YOU, Not About You 

Avoid birthdays, names, pets, addresses — anything that attackers can find online. 

Instead, choose ideas meaningful only to your imagination, not your identity. 

Example technique: 
Think of a random scene: “A purple fox juggling spoons at sunrise.” 
Convert it into a memorable password: 
PurpleFoxSpoonsSunrise2024! 

It’s memorable because your brain built the image — and unguessable because it has no ties to your personal life. 

4. Use a Password Manager for Everything Else 

You only need to remember a small number of secure passphrases: 

  • Your password manager login 
  • Your device password 
  • A backup passphrase for emergencies 

Your password manager handles the rest: 

  • Generates long, random passwords 
  • Stores them encrypted 
  • Autofills safely 

Mindcore Technologies implements enterprise password managers for organizations so teams never depend on weak or reused credentials again. 

5. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Everywhere 

Even memorable, secure passwords can be stolen through: 

  • Infostealers 
  • Session hijacking 
  • Keyloggers 
  • Browser credential theft 

MFA blocks attackers even when they have your password. 

Best MFA options: 

  • Authenticator apps 
  • FIDO2/physical security keys 
  • Push notifications 

Mindcore enforces MFA across critical systems and helps businesses adopt stronger identity protection strategies. 

6. Avoid Storing Passwords in Insecure Locations 

Never store passwords in: 

  • Notes apps 
  • Email drafts 
  • Browsers without encryption 
  • Sticky notes 
  • Spreadsheets 

If you can see it, an attacker can too. 

Use a password manager — it removes the burden of remembering dozens of passwords while protecting them far better than manual storage ever could. 

7. Build a Simple Memory Framework 

To make strong passwords easier to recall, use a mental anchor technique: 

Visual Story Method 

Imagine a clear scene and convert each element into a word. 

Example scene: 
“A bicycle floating through space surrounded by neon jellyfish.” 

Password: 
BicycleSpaceNeonJelly2025! 

Rhyming or Rhythm Method 

Your brain remembers rhythm well. 

BlueMoonFastTune22! 

Easy to recall. Hard to crack. 

Object-Pairing Method 

Pick two unrelated objects + two unrelated actions. 

CandleRunsOrbitRiver77 

Memorable. Nonsense. Secure. 

How Mindcore Technologies Strengthens Password Security 

Mindcore provides layered identity protection that supports strong password habits: 

  • Enterprise password manager deployment 
  • MFA and FIDO2 hardware key integration 
  • Credential exposure monitoring 
  • Employee password hygiene training 
  • Cyber threat detection for infostealers and compromised devices 

Strong passwords are important. 
Strong systems make them reliable. 

Actionable Steps You Can Apply Today 

  1. Create a 16–20+ character passphrase using unrelated words. 
  1. Add a small number of numbers or symbols for variety. 
  1. Store all other passwords in a password manager. 
  1. Enable MFA everywhere. 
  1. Avoid personal info or predictable patterns. 
  1. Build a visual or rhythmic memory cue for easier recall. 
  1. Teach your team the same method — consistency strengthens security. 

Final Thought 

Strong passwords don’t need to be complicated — just thoughtful. When you build them around memory patterns instead of arbitrary rules, you get credentials that are: 

  • Secure enough for modern cyber threats 
  • Easy enough to recall without writing down 
  • Structured enough to use consistently 
  • Aligned with best practices from Mindcore Technologies 
Matt Rosenthal Headshot
Learn More About Matt

Matt Rosenthal is CEO and President of Mindcore, a full-service tech firm. He is a leader in the field of cyber security, designing and implementing highly secure systems to protect clients from cyber threats and data breaches. He is an expert in cloud solutions, helping businesses to scale and improve efficiency.

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