I do not use dictionary based words in any of my passwords, excluding my master password for my password manager - this is more down to a human limitation, if you are being a person that uses dictionary based words, remember computers have got very good at cracking passwords based on dictionary words with human limitations for choosing those words.
However as in this post I am talking about my “master password” then this is a rule where memorizing 30 characters of random gibberish (for a human) is practically impossible, let’s take this password : Kj8$mN2@pL9&xR4Qw7TzB5#vC6!nM3
Let’s be scientific about remembering his password: You can’t. You’re a human, not a computer. When you try to force your brain to remember digital noise, you eventually get frustrated, get locked out, or resort to using Password123.
I can remember that password? Really?
If you take the password as show the above and actually try to type that in the majority of people will find that quite frustrating typing it in when it’s in front on the screen - what are your chances when you have to remember that in your head with all the other life distractions.
Remember, you are human!
Let’s approach this like a human. This guide teaches you the Mind Map Method to secure the only password that actually matters: your Password Manager Master Key.
The Golden Rule of Digital Security
To stay secure in the modern world, you only need to remember ONE password.
The Master Key:
Use the 15-word Mind Map (Memorized by you) - this is the key point here. It needs to be a memory map that you know and can remember. It’s no good using someone else’s memory map!
The Everything Else:
30+ characters of random noise (Generated and stored by your Password Manager).
You provide the story; the computer provides the noise.
Phase 1: The Human Password (15-Word Mind Map)
Lets use a Mind Map because your brain is a story engine, it remembers places and pictures, not abstract symbols, by mixing two themes—Technology and Bears—we create mental anchors that make the password unshakeable (obviously, you need to choose your own topics)
The Hybrid Map Nodes:
- Grizzly
- Laptop
- Panda
- Monitor
- Polar
- Keyboard
- Koala
- Joystick
- Cub
- Headset
- Cave
- Battery
- Honey
- Router
- Salmon
The Walking Narrative (The Glue)
Important : this is not actually my password for my password manager, this is an illustrate example!
Read this and visualize the movie in your head. Once you see the movie, you know the password:
A Grizzly typed on a Laptop while a Panda watched the Monitor. A Polar bear smashed the Keyboard so a Koala grabbed the Joystick. A tiny Cub put on a Headset inside a dark Cave to change a Battery. He spilled Honey on the Router while feeding a Salmon to another bear.
Your Master Key: grizzly laptop panda monitor polar keyboard koala joystick cub headset cave battery honey router salmon
Phase 2: Why This Works…
- Zero Symbol Stress
You don't need to use capital letters, numbers, or symbols. At 15 words long, this password is a steel vault, the length provides the security, so you can type it naturally in all lowercase - you can choose to add spaces or dashes between the words that decision is optional. Built-in Error Recovery
If you forget word #12, just look at your mental map. What was in the Cave? The Cub was changing the... Battery! The story recovers the password for you.High Entropy, Low Effort
Mathematically, this is stronger than a short complex password. It would take a supercomputer trillions of years to guess, yet it takes you zero effort to remember the story of a bear with a headset.
Phase 3: The Implementation (Braimdump)
The 72-Hour Burn-In: For the first three days, log out of your password manager manually. Type your 15-word story once in the morning and once at night.
Password Manager does heavy remembering: Now that your vault is locked with a human key, let the Password Manager that care of all the other passwords for you including your bank, your email, and your social media, click “Generate Random Password”
Accept Humans Limits: Don't even look at those generated passwords. You won't remember them, and you don't need to. Your Password Manager will remember the noise while you remember the Bears.
The Bottom Line
Stop trying to memorize strings of symbols. It’s a battle you will lose.
Act like a human: Use your brain's natural ability to map stories to secure your Master Key, and let the software handle the random noise for everything else.