Getting Started with Diceware

This page will give you a brief overview of Diceware. You're going to love it!

What is Diceware?

Diceware™ is a method for picking passphrases that uses dice to select words at random from a special list called the Diceware Word List. Each word in the list is preceded by a five digit number. All the digits are between one and six, allowing you to use the outcomes of five dice rolls to select a word from the list.

16664 cleat
 16665 cleft
 16666 clerk
 21111 cliche
 21112 click
 21113 cliff
 21114 climb

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A Better Way...

Diceware helps you create strong, yet easy to remember passphrases for use with encryption and security programs. Weak passwords and passphrases are one of the most common flaws in computer security. The information presented here can be used by anyone.

It only takes a few minutes to learn.

What is a Passphrase?

A passphrase is a bunch of words and characters that you type in to your computer to let it know for sure that the person typing is you. Most security programs allow you to enter a passphrase instead of just a short password for added protection against attackers.

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Passphrases are passwords, but passwords are not passphrases.

Passphrases differ from passwords only in length. Passwords are usually short, six to ten characters. Short passwords are OK for logging onto computer system that are programmed to detect multiple incorrect guesses and protect the stored passwords properly, but they are not safe for use with encryption systems. Passphrases are usually much longer -- typically 20 to 40 characters, sometimes more. Their greater length makes passphrases more secure.

A Few Good Passphrases

Secret Agent says,

"A passphrase should be..."

  • Known only to you
  • Long enough to be secure
  • Hard to guess -- even by someone who knows you well
  • Easy for you to remember
  • Easy for you to type accurately

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Choose Wisely

Picking a good passphrase is one of the most important things you can do to preserve the privacy of your computer data and e-mail messages.