Yes — and this guide will show you exactly how to do it, why it works, and what to do next — in plain, easy language. I’ll keep things simple, use everyday words, include real-world tips, step-by-step instructions, and a couple of short stories so it isn’t boring. I’ll also link to important tools and official guidance so you can learn more if you want.

Quick plain answer: use a random password of 16 characters (or longer) for important accounts, store it in a password manager, and turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). That combination protects you far better than simple or reused passwords.

Why a 16-character password is a smart choice.

First, let’s stop thinking “passwords” are just words. They’re barriers that protect your accounts. A longer and more random barrier is harder to climb.

• Length matters. A password with more characters increases the number of possible combinations an attacker must try. For most people, 16 characters is a practical and strong balance: it’s long enough to be secure, but short enough to work with most websites and tools.
• Randomness matters. A password made of truly random characters — uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols — is far harder to guess than a real word or a simple pattern.
• Use unique passwords. Never reuse the same password on multiple sites. If one site leaks, attackers try that password elsewhere.

Official guidance supports the idea of letting people use longer passwords and passphrases without forcing weird composition rules. For example, the U.S. standards group NIST recommends that systems accept long passwords and not impose awkward rules that make people pick weaker choices. 

Also, security groups like OWASP advise allowing long passphrases and avoiding rules that cause people to pick predictable patterns. 

In short: length + randomness + uniqueness + 2FA = real protection.

Plain example: how much stronger is a 16-character password?

Don’t worry — you don’t need to do complicated math. Just know this: add characters, and the number of possible combinations grows very fast. That means attackers need much more time and power to try every possibility.

To make this concrete: a short 8-character password with only letters is much easier to crack than a random 16-character mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. So a 16-character random password adds practical strength that stops automated attacks and makes targeted cracking much less likely.

Two quick, short stories (real-feel examples).

Story 1 — The small shop owner (short and true-feeling):
Ali used the same password on his shop email and his shop admin panel. One bigger site he used leaked credentials, and attackers tried the same password on other services. They got into his email and then took control of the shop page. After this, Ali switched to a password manager, used random 16-character passwords, and turned on 2FA. Months later another leak happened — his accounts were safe. He said it felt like finally locking the real door.

Story 2 — The busy parent (short):
Sara hated remembering passwords. She used easy ones and often clicked “forgot password.” One day, she set up a password manager, generated 16-character random passwords for key accounts, and enabled 2FA. Now she logs in faster and sleeps more easily.

These are everyday wins: small changes that stop big headaches.

Passphrase vs random string — what to pick?

There are two common approaches:

• Random string: e.g., rG7#uL8!p2Qw4sX1. Very strong, but hard to remember. Best when stored in a password manager.
• Passphrase: e.g., correct horse battery staple — several random words. Easier to remember and still strong if the words are truly random.

Both are valid. If you want to memorize, use a passphrase. If you want maximum automatic strength, use a random 16-character string and store it in a manager. The famous XKCD comic about passphrases explains this idea simply and humorously. 

Tools you can trust (links to try right now)

• Bitwarden Password Generator — generate strong random passwords and store them securely. (Bitwarden is a trusted open-source password manager.) 

• Avast Random Password Generator — quick one-off generator for a secure password.
• Have I Been Pwned — check if your email or password appeared in a breach (don’t paste your current active password; use the site’s safe features). 

I’ll link these in the body where they help you take action.

Step-by-step: How to create a 16-character random password (recommended way).

This is the cleanest, safest path for most people.

Step 1 — Choose a trusted password manager.

Pick a reliable manager such as Bitwarden (free and paid plans, open source), 1Password, or another reputable option. These tools both generate and store passwords for you. If you want a recommendation, Bitwarden is widely praised for strong security and low cost. 

Why choose a manager? 

Because it securely stores long, random passwords and fills them when needed. You don’t have to remember every password — just one master password.

Step 2 — Create a strong master password

This one password opens your vault. Make it long and memorable (or use a passphrase). For example, use several unrelated words you can remember, plus some personal trick you won’t write down in public. Do not reuse an existing password.

Step 3 — Use the built-in generator to create a password.

Open your password manager’s generator. Choose 16 characters and include uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols (unless a website rejects symbols). Then click Generate.

• Example: a generated password might look like Vz7!pR9#tL2kH6xD. Don’t use this exact string — generate your own.

Bitwarden and Avast both offer password generators you can try: Bitwarden Generator and Avast Random Password Generator. 

Step 4 — Save the password in the vault.

When you create a new account or change a password, save the generated password in your manager. Most managers save the website address, username, and password for easy autofill later.

Step 5 — Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

After you save the password, turn on 2FA for the account if it supports it. Use an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, or similar) or a hardware security key if possible — these are safer than SMS codes. Authenticator apps generate time-based codes locally so attackers can’t easily intercept them. 

Step 6 — Repeat for important accounts.

Start with your email, banking, payment services, social media, and any account that can reset other accounts. Then work through other sites as time permits.

If you can’t use a password manager right now (less ideal — keep reading)

sometimes people don’t want a manager. If you must avoid one

1. Use a trusted online generator (e.g., Avast Random Password Generator

2. Choose 16 characters and allow symbols if the site accepts them.
3. Store the password in a secure place: an encrypted file (with a strong passphrase) or a physical notebook locked away. Avoid sticky notes on your monitor.
4. Still enable 2FA. SMS is better than nothing, but authenticator apps are safer. 

This manual route works, but it’s more error-prone. Password managers are safer and more convenient.

How to check if a password has appeared in a breach.

Before reusing any password, check if it was exposed in a data breach. Use Have I Been Pwned’s Pwned Passwords service to check breached passwords safely. If your password (or similar) appears, change it everywhere it was used. 

Important: don’t paste your main, active password into random websites. Use trusted breach-checking services and follow their guidance.

Common website rules and how to handle them.

Some sites have odd password rules — for example, they disallow symbols, limit length, or truncate inputs. Here’s how to handle those:

• If symbols are disallowed: make the password longer (e.g., 20 characters) to keep strength.
• If length is limited: pick the longest the site allows. Then use 2FA and your password manager for extra safety.
• If a site truncates: avoid trusting that site with very sensitive data; consider using a passphrase instead. Security experts warn against silent truncation because it weakens protection. 

How to migrate from old weak passwords (step-by-step)

If you have many weak passwords, you don’t need to fix everything at once. Prioritize.

Step 1 — Triage your accounts. Start with email, bank, payment services, and business accounts.
Step 2 — Install a password manager. Create your vault and master password.
Step 3 — Update top accounts. Use the manager’s generator to create 16-character passwords and save them.
Step 4 — Add 2FA. Enable it for each account as you update.
Step 5 — Work through others gradually. Batch updates by category (shopping, social, forums).

This stepwise approach reduces stress and makes the task manageable.

Why buying a password manager is worth it (plain reasons)

You asked me to convince readers to buy with confidence — here’s a straight, honest list:

1. Saves time. No more “forgot password” resets or writing down passwords. Autofill logs you in quickly.
2. Stronger security. Managers let you use long, random passwords for every site so attackers can’t reuse leaked credentials.
3. Convenience across devices. A paid plan often syncs securely across phone, tablet, and computer.
4. Extras. Encrypted notes, secure file storage, emergency access, and breach monitoring are common premium features.
5. Cost vs risk. A small yearly fee is cheap compared to the time and money lost to account compromise.

If you want an example review, Bitwarden is widely recommended and has independent audits. Wired and other reviewers praise its open-source model, strong encryption, and affordable premium pricing. That makes it a great option for people who want both strong security and good value.

Short practical walkthrough: create a 16-character password with Bitwarden

1. Visit the Bitwarden Password Generator. 

2. Select Password (not passphrase). Set length to 16. Enable uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols (if the site accepts symbols).
3. Click Generate.
4. Save that generated password in your Bitwarden vault tied to the site login.
5. Turn on 2FA on the site (authenticator app or hardware key recommended). Bitwarden also supports an extra 2FA method for your vault. 

That’s it — quick and secure.

How to remember your master password (if you use a manager).

Your master password is the one you must not forget. Here are gentle tips to remember it without weakening it:

• Use a long passphrase made of unrelated words and a memory trick.
• Use a mental story linking the words (the story is only for you).
• Write it once on paper and store it in a safe place (not on a phone or sticky note).
• Consider creating a sealed note kept with other important documents.

The key is one strong memorized secret — everything else is handled by the manager.

Two-factor authentication: simple, essential, and how to do it.

What is 2FA?  It’s a second check after your password. Even if someone gets your password, they still need the second factor — usually a code from an app or a hardware key.

Prefer an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator) or a hardware key (YubiKey) over SMS. SMS can be intercepted or exploited via SIM-swap attacks. Authenticator apps generate time-based codes locally and are harder to steal. LifeWire and security blogs explain how authenticator apps work and why they are safer than SMS. 

To set up 2FA:

1. Go to the security settings of the account.
2. Choose Two-factor authentication or Multi-factor authentication.
3. Select the Authenticator app and scan the QR code using your app.
4. Save your recovery codes somewhere safe (your manager can store them).

That little extra step adds huge protection.

How to test your new setup

after migrating and enabling 2FA:

• Log out and log back in to test autofill and 2FA.
• Use Have I Been Pwned to check whether your email was in breaches and whether the site offers breach notifications. 
• Use your manager’s password strength reports to find weak or reused passwords and fix them.

Testing makes sure everything works when you need it.

Common worries:

“What if the password manager itself gets hacked?”
Good managers use strong encryption so attackers can’t read your data without your master password. Choose services with independent audits and a good reputation. Bitwarden is open-source and audited, which increases trust.

“I don’t trust cloud storage.”
Some managers offer local vault options or self-hosted versions (Bitwarden has a self-hosted option). You can weigh convenience vs control.

“I’m worried about losing access to my vault.”
Back up your master password and recovery codes in a secure place (paper in a safe, or encrypted backup). Many managers offer emergency access features, too.

How to pick a password manager (short checklist)

• Is it reputable and regularly audited?
• Does it offer multi-platform support (phone, desktop, browser)?
• Does it have good reviews and transparency (open source is a plus)?
• Does it offer secure sync and extra features you want (emergency access, family sharing)?
• Is pricing clear and affordable?

Bitwarden checks many of these boxes, but there are other good managers. Read a recent review or two before deciding. 

Final, friendly checklist (do this in order)

1. Pick a password manager (or plan to use one). (Bitwarden is a solid choice.) 

2. Create a strong master password or passphrase.
3. Use the manager to generate 16-character random passwords for your most important accounts.
4. Save each password in the vault.
5. Enable 2FA using an authenticator app or hardware key. 
6. Check your email on Have I Been Pwned to see if it’s been part of a breach.
7. Update other accounts gradually.

One last short story — why people are glad they switched.

A friend once told me, “After I switched, I realized I wasted so much time on resets and stress. Now everything is one tap, and I actually enjoy setting up new accounts because I don’t have to think of a password.” That simple relief is why people keep using password managers.

Conclusion:

Creating a 16-character random password isn’t magic. It’s one step in a small routine that gives big protection:

• Use length and randomness,
• Use unique passwords for each site,
• Store them in a manager, and
• Turn on 2FA.

If you want to start right now, try the Bitwarden Password Generator or Avast Random Password Generator, then save the result in a manager and enable 2FA. Those steps give you real security without stress. 

20 FAQs — 16-character random passwords

1. What is a 16-character password?
   A password made of 16 characters (letters, numbers, symbols). Longer means stronger.
2. Should I use a random 16-character password?
   Yes — for important accounts, it’s a very good choice.
3. What’s a random string vs a passphrase?
   Random string: mixed characters like A7!bX2…. Passphrase: several words like blue-salad-tree. Both can be strong.
4. How do I make one?
   Use a trusted password manager or a reputable online generator and set length to 16.
5. Can I remember a random 16-character password?
   Usually no. That’s why people use password managers to store them.
6. Is 16 characters enough?
   For most people, yes. For very high-value accounts you can use even longer passwords or extra security.
7. Should I reuse passwords?
   No. Never use the same password on multiple sites.
8. Are online password generators safe?
   Use only well-known, trusted ones (or the generator inside a password manager).
9. What is two-factor authentication (2FA)?
   A second step after your password (usually a code from an app). It adds big protection.
10. Should I use SMS for 2FA?
    SMS is okay if nothing else, but authenticator apps or hardware keys are safer.
11. What if a website blocks symbols or limits length?
    Use the longest password it allows and enable 2FA. Or use a passphrase if needed.
12. How do I check if my password was leaked?
    Use a trusted breach-check service (don’t paste passwords into random sites). If it’s leaked, change it.
13. What if I forget my master password (for the manager)?
    Follow the manager’s recovery steps and keep a secure backup of recovery codes or the master password.
14. Is storing passwords in the cloud safe?
    Trusted managers encrypt your data so only you can read it. Choose reputable services.
15. Can I share passwords with family safely?
    Yes — use the secure sharing option inside a password manager. Don’t send passwords by text or email.
16. How often should I change passwords?
    Change them if there’s a breach or you suspect compromise. Otherwise, focus on unique, strong passwords + 2FA.
17. Are browser-saved passwords okay?
    They work, but dedicated password managers are usually safer and have more features.
18. What if I don’t want to pay for a manager?
    Free, reputable managers exist and are fine for many people. Paid plans add extra features.
19. How do I start migrating old passwords?
    Begin with email, bank, and payment accounts. Install a manager, generate new strong passwords, save them, and turn on 2FA.
20. Why bother with 16 characters and a manager?
    Because it gets you strong protection with almost no daily effort — more security, less worry.