Password

digital security · identity verification · technology

Secret proof of identity. A password is a string of characters, like a special code, that only you should know. When you type it correctly, it tells a computer or app that you really are you.

Hard to remember them all. Long ago, people only had one or two passwords to remember. Today, the average person uses dozens of password-protected services, from email to games to school accounts, which makes memorizing unique passwords for each one really tricky.

The authentication handshake. When you enter your password, the computer (called the verifier) checks if what you typed matches what's stored. If it matches, the computer knows you are the claimant, or the real person claiming that identity.

Why passwords matter. Passwords are one of the main ways the internet keeps your stuff safe and private. They stop strangers from accessing your photos, messages, homework folders, and other personal information.