“Strong”
passwords are difficult to compromise.
Even if your password is long and complex (e.g. a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and other non-alphanumeric characters), if it is stored or sent in plaintext, you’re toast if the hackers get hold of it.
Plaintext means it can be viewed exactly the way it has been entered, using easily accessible tools. For example, if your password is Super$ecretp@Ss, a free downloadable tool like Ettercap enables your password to be viewed exactly in that form: Super$ecretp@Ss.
If, however, your password is encrypted, it means that it has been scrambled; it cannot be viewed using the same tool (Ettercap). It might be displayed something like this: xt%y&1sm^*gt;>2.
Unfortunately, many software applications still store and send passwords in plaintext. That is why hackers still find the first three items in the next section so effective.
Make sure that your password is not guessable by hackers.
There are many ways to create a strong password.