Password strength is a crucial factor in ensuring the security of online accounts. It measures the effectiveness of a password in resisting guessing and brute-force attacks. Factors such as length, unpredictability, and complexity determine the strength of a password.
You may have come across password strength checkers while filling out online forms, such as during a Gmail registration. In this article, we will learn how to create a password strength checker using jQuery. We will provide step-by-step instructions and a downloadable demo for easy implementation.
To build our password strength checker, we will utilize a JavaScript file named "password_strength.js." This file contains the necessary checks to determine the strength of a password based on the following criteria:
- Length of the password: A longer password generally offers increased security.
- Uppercase characters: Including uppercase letters in a password adds complexity and makes it harder to guess.
- Lowercase characters: Similar to uppercase letters, including lowercase letters enhances the password's unpredictability.
- Numbers: The inclusion of numbers further strengthens the password's complexity.
- Special characters: Special characters, such as symbols or punctuation marks, add an extra layer of security to the password.
By evaluating these criteria, our password strength checker will calculate the overall strength of the password. To provide users with a clear indication of the password's strength, we will incorporate different background colors for different strength levels, such as Very Weak, Strong, or Very Strong.
<html>
<head>
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="css/style.css" />
</head>
<body>
<div id="container">
<div id="top"><a href="https://www.php-dev-zone.com/">PHP Dev Zone </a> : <i>Password Strength Indicator </i></div>
<div id="wrapper">
<div id="form">
<label>Password : </label>
<input type="password" autocomplete="off" name="password" class="password" />
</div>
</div>
<div id="bottom"><a href="https://www.php-dev-zone.com/post/enhance-account-security-with-a-password-strength-checker-using-jquery"> Go back to tutorial</a></div>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.7.0/jquery.min.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="js/jquery.password_strength.js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
$(function() {
$('.password').password_strength();
});
</script>
</body>
</html>
Step : 1
Check your form with password field and assign any class or id arrtribute to it. Here, we have given class value as "password", you can have any value as per your need.
<input type="password" autocomplete="off" name="password" class="password" />
Step : 2
Ensure that you link the jQuery library in your project for proper functionality. You can have CDN link or local file, both will work. Here, for example we are using direct CDN link.
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.7.0/jquery.min.js"></script>
Step : 3
Include the password_strength.js file to your page. You can find it in demo source code.
<script type="text/javascript" src="js/jquery.password_strength.js"></script>
Step : 4
Call the function on a password field.
$(function() {
$('.password').password_strength();
});
Implementing this password strength checker is straightforward. You can download the demo code provided below and customize it to suit your needs.
Creating a password strength checker using jQuery is a valuable addition to any website or application that requires user authentication. By considering factors such as length, character types, and complexity, you can provide users with real-time feedback on their password strength.
Implementing this checker will enhance the overall security of your platform, helping to protect sensitive user information. Feel free to download the demo code and adapt it to your specific requirements. By prioritizing password strength, you contribute to a safer online environment for both you and your users.
I hope this article has been informative and useful in understanding how to build a password strength checker using jQuery. Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out.
