A strong, secure password is the foundation of protecting your online accounts, whether it’s email, banking, or social networks. Creating a strong password should be a priority for anyone who wants to protect their personal data. A password generator makes the process easier by creating unique combinations that are hard to crack yet easy to use.

Password generation in computing

The history of password generation in computing dates back to the 1960s, when computers began to be used for purposes beyond military and scientific applications. The first attempts to protect access with passwords appeared in 1965.

One of the first systems to use passwords was CTSS (Compatible Time-Sharing System), developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

At that time, passwords were simple and easy to remember, which led to security problems.

Developments in the 1970s and 1980s

The 1970s brought a significant breakthrough in computer security. In 1971, the first cryptographic method for secure password generation—DES (Data Encryption Standard)—was introduced to protect data transmissions and identification. A decade later, in 1981, an algorithm was invented that helped create stronger passwords resistant to techniques such as brute-force attacks. This technique was first used in Unix systems in 1983 and remained a foundation for password generation into the 1990s.

• Introduction of DES in 1971 – DES became one of the first cryptographic standards for password protection.
• Unix in 1983 – Unix systems began using a new method to ensure greater password security.

The 1990s and the rise of modern methods

In the 1990s, the approach to password security shifted. The rise of the internet led to more frequent cyberattacks, prompting the development of methods such as password hashing and the use of lower‑strength algorithms to generate more complex combinations. In 1997, the first password generator appeared that could create complex yet memorable codes. The use of the MD5 algorithm for cryptographic purposes also became widespread.

• Password hashing in the 1990s – hashing algorithms such as MD5 were widely used for secure password storage.
• Generating more complex passwords – software began automatically generating strong passwords, making them easier to manage and use.

How does a password generator work?

Password generators use various algorithms to ensure a high level of security and randomness. The basic principle is that passwords must be sufficiently complex and hard to guess. When choosing a generator, it’s important to understand the technologies used for generation and how they affect the security of the passwords created.

• Pseudorandom number generators (PRNGs) – these generators produce numbers based on a repeating, deterministic algorithm, which means the generator can be predictable if its initial state is known. While they provide enough randomness for most everyday applications, they may not be sufficient for sensitive uses.
• Cryptographically secure pseudorandom number generators (CSPRNGs) – unlike PRNGs, CSPRNGs use cryptographic algorithms that provide stronger randomness and are practically unpredictable. This is especially important for generating passwords for highly secure applications.
• Hashing and salt – generators often use hashing, where a password is transformed into an encrypted string.

Generator options: length, complexity, special characters

When using a password generator, it’s important to set parameters correctly to affect the complexity and security of the resulting password. Generators typically allow you to set various parameters such as password length, character types to include, and other options that ensure a high level of protection.

• Password length – length is crucial for security. The longer the password, the larger the space for randomness and the harder it is to crack. Generators usually let you set the desired length as needed.
• Password composition – generators often let you choose between different combinations of characters such as uppercase and lowercase letters, digits, and special characters. Composition should be as diverse as possible to increase complexity and protect against attacks that rely on common patterns.
• Special characters – special characters such as !, $, #, and others can significantly increase password security.

Security aspects: protection against predictable patterns and brute-force attacks

Password generators must be designed to protect passwords not only from common threats but also from sophisticated attacks. A password generator should provide sufficient protection against brute-force attacks, not just during generation but also for storage and use.

• Predictable passwords – a password generator should produce passwords without repeating patterns or commonly used phrases. Predictable passwords can be easily guessed using simple techniques.
• Protection against brute-force attacks – generators should produce passwords that are long and complex enough to resist brute-force attempts to try all possible combinations. The stronger the password, the longer it takes to crack.
• Securing stored passwords – generating a strong password is only part of protection. Storing passwords in encrypted form or using hashing functions is another step that ensures that even in the event of a data breach, passwords remain protected from unauthorized use.

Tips for creating a secure password

To ensure a strong, secure password, it’s important to follow a few specific rules. Combining uppercase and lowercase letters, digits, and special characters makes passwords much harder to crack. Length and uniqueness for each account are also crucial. We recommend using a password manager and enabling two‑factor authentication for even stronger protection.

• Combine uppercase and lowercase letters, digits, and special characters – this is the foundation of a secure password.
• Use long passwords and unique combinations for every account – the longer and more distinct your passwords are, the more time they take to break.
• Use a password manager and two‑factor authentication – a password manager makes storing strong passwords easier. Two‑factor authentication adds another layer of protection.