Creating strong passwords
Passwords can be the weakest link in a computer security scheme. Sophisticated password cracking tools and computers are used to obtain passwords illicitly. Secure your data using ‘strong’ passwords for your network logon.
Elements of a strong password:
• Between 8 and 14 characters long
• Contains characters from each of the following groups
• Has at least one symbol character in the 2nd through 6th positions
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• Is significantly different from prior passwords
• Does not contain your name or user name
• Is not a common word or name
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Group |
Examples |
Letters (uppercase) |
A, B, C… |
Letters (lowercase) |
a, b, c… |
Numerals |
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 |
Symbols |
Suggested symbols: ! @ # $ % & ?. |
Guidelines for Choosing a Password:
Users should choose a Login Password that is hard to break or guess but not so complex that it is difficult to remember. You do not want staff members writing their passwords on sticky notes and pasting them on their screens!
Remind office staff that passwords should not be jotted down in obvious places or left in desk drawers, on calendars, etc., and should never be shared with other employees. For their protection, staff should always Log Off when leaving their workstation.
Here are some general guidelines for choosing a password:
• Use a seemingly random combination of letters and numbers
• Choose a password that you can type without having to look at the keyboard (in case others are watching)
• Do not use your User Name in any form (capitalized, reversed, doubled, etc.)
• Do not use your first, middle or last name or anyone else's
• Do not use your initials or any nicknames
• Do not use information that people can easily obtain about you (license plate, pet name, date of birth, telephone numbers)
• Do not use a password of all alphabetical or only numeric characters - mix them up
• Do not use keyboard sequences (for instance qwerty or asdf)