Google's marketing push around online safety would be more impressive if its example of a good password wasnt so bad. Google is doing a big marketing push around online safety and protecting your information. This would be more impressive if the company’s example of a good password wasn’t so bad. As part of its “Good To Know” campaign, Google addresses what goes into making a password strong. While it’s not cutting edge advice, it is solid common sense stuff like: Use a unique password for all your important accounts. Use a long password. Use a password with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Try using a line from a song, film or play. Etc…. Here’s what they say about using a line from a song, film or play: One idea you can try is to choose a line from your favorite song, film or play, like “To be or not to be: That is the question.” Then use numbers, symbols and mixed-case letters to recreate it: “2bon2bT1tq” is a password with quadrillions of variations. The more unusual the phrase you choose the better! That particular password is based on little known line from a minor work of literature called Hamlet. You would do better to pick something a lot-less well known. How about, Wher4artTH00? That’s because, as the folks at the blog Light Blue Touchpaper point out, 4 people out of 32,603,387 picked ‘2bon2btitq’ and 5 picked ‘2bon2b.’ The roughly one-in-a-million probability sounds impressive, but it only puts people using these passwords in the 50th and 48th percentiles of security. In other words, Google’s advised password is more common than what half of users choose. They suggest using the Diceware approach I discussed last month. Google does have a much better solution than trying a variation on Mi2-step verification system requires access to your phone, as well as your account name and password. It uses a phone app to generate a unique password which you have to enter in addition to the usual password. You don’t have to do this each time you log in, just every 30 days or so. It may not be a foolproof system, but it’s pretty damn close. Now to get something like it for the rest of the internet. Related content opinion Why Bitcoins are Just as Viable as Any Other Currency The true value of any currency is a reflection of how much people believe it's worth, according to CIO blogger Constantine von Hoffman. But it's wise to remember just how fast beliefs can change. By Constantine von Hoffman Apr 15, 2013 4 mins Government Technology Industry opinion No Surprise: Docs Show Obama Administration Lying About Drones President Obama has repeatedly said drones would only be used against members of al Qaida and allied groups. However, leaked intelligence documents show the administration has been using them to settle political and tribal feuds for at least four yea By Constantine von Hoffman Apr 10, 2013 3 mins Regulation Government opinion How Big Data Can Quickly Become Big Garbage The bigger the data the bigger the chance of mistakes or inaccuracies. In that vein, a large database used by retailers to screen people accused of stealing from employers is identifying innocent people and could result in major lawsuits, according t By Constantine von Hoffman Apr 04, 2013 2 mins Big Data opinion Why Crazy Trumps Logic on the Internet The earth is flat. Vaccines cause autism. 9/11 was a government conspiracy. These are just a few of the many ideas that continue to find adherents online despite overwhelming proof that they're not based on fact. CIO.com blogger Constantine von By Constantine von Hoffman Apr 02, 2013 3 mins Government Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe