Final answer:
The generally accepted minimum password length is 8 characters, although using passwords of 12 characters or more is now recommended for better security. Password complexity and the use of various character types also contribute to password strength.
Step-by-step explanation:
The generally accepted minimum password length for creating a secure password is 8 characters. This recommendation is based on guidelines from cybersecurity experts who suggest that a password of at least 8 characters helps in creating a complex enough string that is more difficult for cyber attackers to breach.
However, many security professionals now recommend using longer passwords or passphrases, ideally 12 characters or more, for enhanced security. This is because longer passwords exponentially increase the number of possible combinations, making it much harder for attackers to crack them using brute force methods.
Aside from the length of a password, it's also important to include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to further improve the password's strength against attacks.