How to create a secure username | TechRepublic (2024)

FAQs

What is a good secure username? ›

Including both letters and numbers in a random pattern is safer than using personal identifiers or common phrases. A username that is easier for you to remember is usually easier for a hacker to guess. This is especially true when the username is based on a variation of your email address, name, or home address.

Creating Your Own Unique Usernames

The best way to create unique username ideas is by combining two or three mismatched words with a number. First, come up with two or three categories, and then pick a word from each.

Consider using a qualifier

An initial: Incorporating a first, middle or last initial into your username can be a useful way to identify yourself professionally online. For example, someone with the full name Sarah Lee Tomslin might create a username like @SarahLTomslin, @SLeeTomslin, @SarahLeeT or @SLTomslin.

Create different and strong passwords for every account. Criminals can access whole databases of leaked or stolen passwords on the internet. If yours is on one of them, they could use it to try and gain access to every account you have. Use two-step login verification to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.

The short version is that using a generic username, like one based on your real name, can make it easier for cybercriminals to target you. Creating secure usernames means you have an extra layer of defense against attackers, with password managers as the best way to create and store them.

Keep it simple and easy to remember

It's hard enough to remember your password, so try to make your username as simple and straightforward as possible. You can still differentiate with your favorite number or an underscore, but avoid using any unnecessary symbols, letters, or numbers.

Usernames can contain letters (a-z), numbers (0-9), and periods (.). Usernames cannot contain an ampersand (&), equals sign (=), underscore (_), apostrophe ('), dash (-), plus sign (+), comma (,), brackets (<,>), or more than one period (.)

Your username can be your email address, name, or nickname. Usernames can incorporate spaces, numbers, and certain special characters such as periods (.), hyphens (-), apostrophes ('), underscores (_), and the @ sign.

Password manager NordPass has put together a list of the 200 most popular usernames of all time. Unsurprisingly, most of the usernames are simply people's names. Amongst the most popular is “ยศกร”, which means “title” in Thai, “David”, “Alex”, “Maria”, “Anna”, “Marco”, “Antonio”, and other popular names.

What are three strong passwords? ›

Don't include any personal information in your username. For example your name, age or school. Instead go for a nickname or another fun choice which doesn't include clues about who you are. Don't go for an easy password.

What is a unique username? A unique username is one that stands out among the others. In most cases, such usernames include numbers, uppercase and lowercase letters, and special characters.

Your username can be your email address, name, or nickname. Usernames can incorporate spaces, numbers, and certain special characters such as periods (.), hyphens (-), apostrophes ('), underscores (_), and the @ sign.