How To Create a Secure Username

To create a secure username, you must ensure your username is random, does not use any of your personal information and is unique from your other usernames across all other websites. A secure username should contain a combination of random numbers and symbols, prioritizing safety and privacy by not revealing personal details.

Continue reading to learn why using a secure username is important, how to create your own secure username and why you should use a password manager to store your usernames and passwords.

Why using a secure username is important

Using a secure username is essential for protecting your security and anonymity, especially if it will be displayed publicly. For example, if you frequently comment on Reddit threads with the username @JohnnyAppleseed1997, someone might assume you’ve used your full name and birth year, which could help them find more of your Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

In the event of a data breach, having a secure username is very important because a cybercriminal could use your compromised login credentials from one website on multiple online accounts to commit cyber attacks. Let’s say you use @JohnnyAppleseed1997 as your username on Venmo. If Venmo suffers a data breach, a cybercriminal would know your username and try logging in with it on Cash App, Instagram, Facebook and countless other websites where you may have accounts. Just like you should avoid password reuse, you should also recognize the dangers of username reuse.

5 tips for creating a secure username

Here are five tips to help you create a strong, unique username.

1. Make your username random

Most people make their usernames something they can remember, but you can still make your username random and memorable to increase your security. An easy way to create a random username is by incorporating a random combination of words and numbers. For example, if your favorite city is Paris and your favorite animal is a jaguar, you could create a username like @ParisJaguar37 by adding random numbers at the end. This approach avoids using any PII and helps maintain your anonymity.

2. Avoid using personal information

When creating a random username, you should avoid including any PII that could reveal your identity. Although most people understand the harm in using many of these examples of PII in usernames, it’s important to avoid including the following:

Using your full name in a username makes it much easier for cybercriminals to identify you and learn more ways to commit fraud. Sensitive PII, such as your Social Security number, should never be used in a username, as it can give cybercriminals direct access to steal your identity and impersonate you.

3. Create a pseudonym

If you are struggling to come up with a random username that excludes your PII, creating a pseudonym might be an easier option. Many famous authors have used pseudonyms, which are fake names, to conceal their identities. For instance, Stephen King wrote under the pseudonym Richard Bachman early in his career due to the popularity of his real last name.

You can create a pseudonym by coming up with a completely unrelated name. For example, if your first name is Theodore, your pseudonym can be something as random as Elizabeth. There are also websites available that can generate a random pseudonym or pen name based on adjustable criteria.

4. Use an email alias

Depending on the website or online account you’re creating, you may be required to use your email address instead of creating a username. This requirement limits how private and random you can be; however, you can use an email alias in these situations instead of your personal email address. For example, your primary email address might be johnnyappleseed1997@gmail.com, but an email alias like bluecottoncandy26@gmail.com is completely random and does not use any of your PII. Using an email alias on any accounts that require you to use an email address helps maintain your privacy if your login credentials are ever compromised.

5. Avoid reusing usernames across multiple sites

Since you should create random usernames for each online account, it’s important to avoid reusing usernames across multiple websites. Reusing usernames is dangerous because a cybercriminal could use one compromised username to attempt to access your other accounts with the same login credentials. If you reuse usernames and passwords on multiple accounts, it becomes much easier for a cybercriminal to hack into several accounts and steal your private information.

Use a password manager to store your strong usernames and passwords

Once you’ve created a secure username and password for each account, you need a safe place to store your login credentials and verify their strength since you can’t remember them all yourself. You can ensure your login credentials are secure by using a password manager, which allows you to create, update, store and share your login credentials safely. A password manager like Keeper^® will show which of your login credentials are at risk or compromised, so you can quickly update them to more secure options. After you create a record with each account’s login credentials in your digital vault, Keeper Password Manager can automatically fill in your username and password whenever you visit the corresponding website. Password managers with an autofill feature reduce the risk of falling for phishing attacks and spoofed websites while ensuring your login credentials are stored in a secure location that only you can access.

Create and store strong usernames and passwords with Keeper

Keeper Password Manager can help you create and store strong usernames and passwords in an encrypted digital vault, minimizing the number of unique login credentials you need to remember. By memorizing just your master password, you can access your Keeper Vault and find all your login credentials.

Start your free 30-day trial of Keeper Password Manager today to protect your usernames and passwords while enhancing the security of your online accounts.