A password generator is one of the fastest ways to create strong passwords that are hard to guess and nearly impossible to brute-force in a realistic time. I use it whenever I’m creating a new account, updating old passwords, or securing important logins like email, banking, hosting, and admin dashboards.

In this article, I’ll explain what a password generator is, why it matters, how I use it step by step, and what settings actually make a password “strong” without making it impossible to manage.

What Is a Password Generator?

A password generator is a tool that creates random passwords based on the rules you choose. Instead of using predictable words, names, or patterns (like Mypassword123), it builds a password using random characters such as:

• Uppercase letters (A–Z)
• Lowercase letters (a–z)
• Numbers (0–9)
• Symbols (!@#$%…)

The goal is simple: generate passwords that can’t be guessed by humans and aren’t easy for hackers to crack using automated methods.

Why I Use a Password Generator (And You Should Too)

The biggest password mistake people make is reusing passwords or creating “easy” ones they can remember. The problem is that:

• If one website gets breached, attackers try the same email/password everywhere else.
• Many passwords follow patterns (birthdays, names, simple sequences).
• Short passwords can be cracked quickly using brute force.

A generator fixes all that by creating long, random, unique passwords every time.

How a Password Generator Works

When I open a password generator, I usually see a few options. These settings decide how the password is built:

1) Password Length

This is the most important setting.

• 12 characters = good for normal accounts
• 16–20 characters = great for important accounts
• 24+ characters = excellent for ultra-sensitive logins

If I’m unsure, I pick 16.

2) Character Types

Most generators let me choose what to include:

✅ Uppercase letters
✅ Lowercase letters
✅ Numbers
✅ Symbols

I keep all of them enabled unless a website doesn’t allow symbols (rare, but it happens).

3) Avoid Similar Characters (Optional)

Some generators can avoid confusing characters like:

• O and 0
• I and l

This is useful if I know I’ll need to type the password manually.

4) Exclude Certain Symbols (Optional)

A few sites block certain symbols. If a password fails, I simply regenerate and remove the symbols that are not accepted.

My Recommended Password Settings

Here’s what I personally use most of the time:

• Length: 16
• Uppercase: ON
• Lowercase: ON
• Numbers: ON
• Symbols: ON

Example of a strong generated password:
vQ7!mZ2@pL9#tX5$

That kind of password has no meaning, no pattern, and no predictable structure—exactly what I want.

Strong Password Rules That Actually Matter

If I had to summarize password security into a simple checklist, it would be this:

✅ Make it long

Length beats complexity. A 16-character password is dramatically harder to crack than a 10-character one.

✅ Make it random

Avoid real words, names, keyboard patterns, or repeated characters.

✅ Make it unique

One password per account. No exceptions for email, hosting, admin panels, or banking.

✅ Store it safely

If I generate strong passwords, I need a safe place to keep them.

Should I Use a Password Manager?

Yes—if I’m using random passwords (which I should), a password manager makes life easier.

With a manager, I only need to remember one master password, and it stores the rest securely. It also helps with:

• Auto-filling logins
• Detecting weak or reused passwords
• Generating new ones instantly

If I don’t want a manager, I at least store passwords in a secure encrypted place. I never save them in plain text files.

Common Mistakes I Avoid

Here are the mistakes I stopped making once I started using generators:

• Using the same password on multiple sites
• Creating passwords based on names, dates, or common words
• Using short passwords like 8–10 characters
• Saving passwords in notes or messages
• Sharing passwords through chat apps

Password Generator FAQ

Are password generators safe?

A good password generator is safe as long as the tool is trustworthy and doesn’t store your password without permission. Offline generators and reputable password managers are the safest options.

Is it okay to use symbols?

Yes. Symbols increase the number of possible combinations. If a site rejects some symbols, regenerate with allowed characters.

How often should I change passwords?

I change passwords when:

• There’s a breach or suspicious activity
• The password was reused before
• I shared it or typed it on an untrusted device

Otherwise, strong unique passwords don’t need constant changing.

Final Thoughts

A password generator is one of the easiest security upgrades I can make. In seconds, I get a password that is longer, stronger, and safer than anything I could manually create.

If you want better account protection without stress, the best move is simple:

Use a password generator, set it to 16+ characters, and keep passwords unique for every account.