Monster-Free Passwords: How to Keep Hackers Out of Your Family’s Digital World

Ghosts and goblins may only come out at Halloween… but online “monsters” (a.k.a. hackers) are lurking all year long.

One of the simplest ways to protect your family online is by creating strong, unique passwords or better yet, passphrases.

Why Strong Passwords Matter

Weak or reused passwords are like leaving your front door wide open on Halloween night with a big sign saying, “Free candy inside!”

Hackers love

• Short, easy-to-guess words

• Kids’ names or birthdays

• Recycled passwords used across multiple accounts

• Sequential Numbers: 123456, 123456789, 111111

• Generic Words: password, secret

• Keyboard Patterns: qwerty

• Other Common Patterns: 12345, admin, abc123

That’s why creating monster-proof passwords is so important for your family’s digital safety.

Make It Fun: Halloween-Themed Passwords

Getting kids involved makes cybersecurity less of a chore and more of a game. Try creating Halloween-inspired passphrases together. Here are a few spooky examples (don’t actually use these exact ones, make your own twist!):

• Pumpkin$Pie!2025

• Gh0stly!HaunT@Night

• Tr1ck0rTreat$Candy

Encourage your kids to come up with three new “Halloween passwords” for practice.

Password Strength Checklist for Families

When you create passwords together, make sure they check all the boxes:

1. Passphrase, not just a word

   • Use a whole phrase or sentence instead of a single word.

   • Example: SpookyCatsDanceAtMidnight!

2. Add unique symbols

   • Mix in characters like ! @ $ & *

   • Example: C@ndyCornL0vers!

3. Mix upper & lowercase letters

   • Example: BOoK_of_PumpkINs

Pro Tip: Use a password manager to keep track of them all. That way your kids won’t be tempted to write their passwords on sticky notes. Also... the best password is one that you don't know! When you use a password generator your passwords are automatically loaded for you on your trusted device.

Cyber Safety Is a Family Habit

Making passwords together can actually be a fun family activity. Just like carving pumpkins, you can make it seasonal and memorable. But the protection lasts long after Halloween.

So grab your kids, get creative, and build some monster-free passwords that keep your family safe all year long. 🕸️