# Diceware

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>
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Diceware is a method for generating passphrases/passwords using dice and a word list.
These contain genuine randomness and, if sufficiently long, can be considered secure.

This tutorial briefly describes how you can create a secure password in just a few
steps. Detailed instructions on Dice-Generated Passphrase can also be found on the
[EFF Website](https://www.eff.org/dice).

> [!tip] Tip {static}
>
> We recommend that you read the page on [passwords](https://wiki.aktivismus.org/books/it-sicherheit-esc-it/page/passwords)
> first. There, we also explain how long your passphrase should be and why they should
> be generated randomly. In any case, it is not sufficient to think up ‘random’ words
> yourself or select them from a list. We also recommend that you use a
> [password manager](https://wiki.aktivismus.org/books/it-sicherheit-esc-it/page/password-manager) so that you only have to
> remember a few really secure passwords.

## Concept

The idea is that you select different words for your password from a list of
approximately 7,000 words. This gives you a password that is easy to remember and still
contains real randomness. All you need is a dice.

## Step 1

Select a word list in a language you are comfortable with. If your language is not in
the list, you can find a word list by searching for “Diceware Wordlist” + “language.”
Choose a list that is designed for at least five dice, i.e., contains at least 7776
words.

- [dys2p/wordlists-en EN](https://github.com/dys2p/wordlists-de/blob/main/de-7776-v1-diceware.txt)
- [EFF's Long Wordlist EN](https://www.eff.org/files/2016/07/18/eff_large_wordlist.txt)
- [Website with other languages](https://theworld.com/~reinhold/diceware.html#Diceware%20in%20Other%20Languages)

For this example, we will use the EFF Long Wordlist. However, you can also use any other
list designed for five dice.

## Step 2

Now roll the dice five times and write down the results in the order you rolled them.
For example: `14314`

Now look up the word that matches this number in the word list.

In the
[EFF's Long Wordlist](https://www.eff.org/files/2016/07/18/eff_large_wordlist.txt) the
word corresponding to `14314` is `bucktooth`.

## Step 3

Repeat step 2 at least six times.

You should now have six words. For example:

`battery tacker horses blow counter note`

Congratulations! You just created a secure and truly random passphrase!

## Step 4

If there is no immediate danger of repression, write the password on a piece of paper
and enter it once or twice a day. After one to two weeks, most people can remember their
new password well. Then destroy the piece of paper!

There are different techniques for better remembering random passphrases. For some
people, making up a story to go with the words can help to remember them better.

> [!technical] Technical
>
> The recommendation to use six words comes from the official
> [EFF Guide to Diceware](https://www.eff.org/dice)