Tips for creating a strong password

It's important, whenever creating an online password, to think carefully about your choice, striking the balance between memorability and vulnerability. Too obvious, or simple a password could be easily guessed, too complicated and there's a good change you will forget it.

Passwords to avoid

We prevent the most commonly used passwords and your previously-used password from being created on our website. To this end, please avoid using any of the following as your password:

• Your name or nickname
• Your email address
• The names of your family members (including maiden names), or pets
• The name of a famous person, music group or sporting team that you are known to like
• The same password that you use for your email account
• Sequences of numbers, or repeated numbers, for example 123456, or 555555
• A memorable date, especially the dates of birth of you and your family
• The word 'Password', even with an extra digit at the end, for example Password7
• Any other single word, as these are easy for a hacker to guess
• Replacing letters in a common word with numbers, for example Pa55word

Creating a strong password