You may not need that meaningless string of letters and numbers you created for your passwords after all.

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre recently said that a three-word system for passwords could be an effective deterrent to hackers. The word combinations are easier to remember than random passwords. But outside experts say you still need to be vigilant about how you create your passwords.

"People should avoid using words that are too simple or obvious," Jim Gogolinski, vice president of cybersecurity firm iboss, told Lifewire in an email interview. "For example, password123 is not a great password. Additionally, with so many people posting updates about their lives on social media, it's important not to use a word that could easily be linked to you."

Avoid using the names of your children or pets, dates of birth, street addresses or anything else that could easily be found on a public site, Gogoglinski said. He added that "a password should be unique to the person, but hard to crack."