Ask Dave Taylor
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • YouTube Videos
  • Top Categories
  • Subscribe via Email
  • Ask A Question
  • Meet Dave
  • Home
  • Spam, Scams & Security
  • Easy Way to Generate Strong Passwords With 1Password?

Easy Way to Generate Strong Passwords With 1Password?

January 22, 2022 / Dave Taylor / Spam, Scams & Security / No Comments

I run 1Password on my Mac system and when I get to a new Web site, I’d like to be able to easily get a highly secure password suggestion. I assume 1Password can do that, but how do I actually get to the password suggestion tool in the program?

Passwords. They’re rarely pretty, often too simple, but always necessary for our modern era of online technology. Some day I hope it’ll be all about biometrics and we can finally dump these sequences of characters and digits, but meanwhile, we gotta deal. If you’re still trying to just remember all your own passwords, you’ve already put yourself at risk: Using the same password on multiple sites is dangerous. Worse, it’s probable if you’re just remembering your password that it’s either a name, dictionary word, or based on one. Got dogs named Luna and Amber? “LunaAmber” is not, in fact, a good password.

With hundreds of accounts across hundreds of Web sites, though, how do you remember everything so you can log in? You don’t. You get a password management tool like 1Password, which I’ve been using for years now. Very helpful to have a secure database custom designed for password and account management, really. One of the least obvious features in the program is the new password tool. Let me show you what I mean…

GENERATE A HIGHLY SECURE PASSWORD WITH 1PASSWORD

1Password is both a plug-in for your Web browsers and a stand-alone program, and it’s in the standalone program that you can find the new password tool. I generally get to it by choosing File > New Item > Login in the program:

1password mac - file > new account

In fact, it’s in the File menu that I’d like to see “New Password Tool…” or similar as a standalone option, but that’s not the current version of the program, so, choose “Login”.

A new Login template appears in the main window, offering you the chance to enter login info and such too:

1password mac - new login template

See that sequence of “•••••••” under password? It’s kind of a fake-out because if you click on it, you’ll find it’s a blank field. So how do you actually generate a random password? It’s all about that barely visible gear icon on the password line.

Click on it and a tiny window pops up:

1password mac - randomly generated secure password

Here’s what I really like about this: You can specify how many characters, whether it should include symbols and/or numbers, and it automatically fills it in for the new Login record too. In this instance, the 12-character random password with numbers allowed is “FG2tChBci6Te“. Admit it, that’s better than your current password!

You’re not stuck with these parameters, of course. I can make my password 14 characters long and add symbols, with it instantly suggesting a far more complex password:

1password mac - 14 char, symbols, numbers, generated random password

Don’t like the proposed password? Click on the circular arrow and it’ll generate another one with the same criteria:

1password mac - regenerated 14-char symbols numbers random password

If you’re curious, a 14-character password that can include uppercase, lowercase, numbers and a dozen symbols has 74**14 possible values, or 1.4765361E26. A really, really, really big number! It would be an unguessable password, even if the bad guys have weeks of computer time to spin through millions or billions of possible values.

GENERATE A RANDOM, MEMORABLE PASSWORD OR PIN

But you aren’t only able to generate random passwords:

1password mac - generate memorable password

What’s a memorable password? One that’s a few random words connected by dashes or similar:

1password mac - memorable password generated

Still random, still really incredibly hard to guess or hack, but a bit more memorable. Again, notice all the customization you can do, and don’t forget that the circular arrow lets you generate another, and another, and another, until you find one you like.

And then there are PINs. Much easier, an n-digit random number:

1password mac - generate random pin

Basically, when it comes to passwords, random is the name of the game. You won’t err on the side of your phone number, the street address of your childhood home, your best friend’s middle name or a favorite word surrounded by asterisks if a program is generating the code for you.

Once you’ve found a random password you like, simply click to select it and Edit > Copy, then pop over to your Web browser or program and paste it in as the new password for your account. Done. Now if 1Password would just make this a bit easier…

Pro Tip: I’ve been writing about online security for many years. Please check out my scams and security help area for lots of useful tutorials to help keep you safe online. Thanks!

About the Author: Dave Taylor has been involved with the online world since the early days of the Internet. Author of over 20 technical books, he runs the popular AskDaveTaylor.com tech help site. You can also find his gadget reviews on YouTube and chat with him on Twitter as @DaveTaylor.

Let’s Stay In Touch!

Never miss a single article, review or tutorial here on AskDaveTaylor, sign up for my fun weekly newsletter!
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please enter all required fields
Correct invalid entries
No spam, ever. Promise. Powered by FeedBlitz
Please choose a color:
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!
1password, generate password, new password tool, password security, random password

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Recent Posts

  • How to Check Energy Recommendations on your Windows Laptop
  • How Do I Customize New Tab Windows in Safari for Mac?
  • Can AI-Generated ChatGPT Text Be Accurately Identified?
  • How to Perform a Microsoft Account Security Audit and Checkup
  • How Can I Customize My Linux Dock / Taskbar?

On Our YouTube Channel

How to: Replace a Switchbot Door Sensor Battery

EMEET Luna vs INNOTRIK Studio Bluetooth Speakerphones -- DEMOS & REVIEW

Categories

  • AdSense, AdWords, and PPC Help (106)
  • Amazon, eBay, and Online Shopping Help (163)
  • Android Help (226)
  • Apple iPad Help (147)
  • Apple Watch Help (53)
  • Articles, Tutorials, and Reviews (346)
  • Auto Tech Help (15)
  • Business Advice (200)
  • ChromeOS Help (31)
  • Computer & Internet Basics (778)
  • d) None of the Above (166)
  • Facebook Help (383)
  • Google, Chrome & Gmail Help (188)
  • HTML & Web Page Design (247)
  • Instagram Help (49)
  • iPhone & iOS Help (623)
  • iPod & MP3 Player Help (173)
  • Kindle & Nook Help (99)
  • LinkedIn Help (88)
  • Linux Help (173)
  • Linux Shell Script Programming (89)
  • Mac & MacOS Help (911)
  • Most Popular (16)
  • Outlook & Office 365 Help (33)
  • PayPal Help (68)
  • Pinterest Help (54)
  • Reddit Help (19)
  • SEO & Marketing (82)
  • Spam, Scams & Security (95)
  • Trade Show News & Updates (23)
  • Twitter Help (220)
  • Video Game Tips (66)
  • Web Site Traffic Tips (62)
  • Windows PC Help (947)
  • Wordpress Help (206)
  • Writing and Publishing (72)
  • YouTube Help (47)
  • YouTube Video Reviews (159)
  • Zoom, Skype & Video Chat Help (62)

Archives

Social Connections:

Ask Dave Taylor


Follow Me on Pinterest
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram


AskDaveTaylor on Facebook



microsoft insider mvp


This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this site or on any linked site. Further, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to our terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site. Our lawyer says "Thanks for your cooperation."
© 2023 by Dave Taylor. "Ask Dave Taylor®" is a registered trademark of Intuitive Systems, LLC.
Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Accessibility Policy