Information and Technology

Strong Passwords

Create Strong, Memorable Passwords

1. Think of a sentence you can remember.  "My son Aiden is three years old."
2. Does the system allow passphrases?
3. Convert the phrase to a password.  "msaityo"
4. Add complexity.  "My SoN Ayd3N is 3 yeeRs old"  Becomes: "MsAy3yo"
5. Substitute some special characters.  "MySoN 8N i$ 3 yeeR$ old"  Becomes: "M$8ni3y0"

• Password should be at least 8 characters long.
• Password should contain at least one of each of the following: number, lowercase alphabet, uppercase alphabet, special character.
• The longer a password is, the harder it is to guess.

Avoid these Password Strategies

• Do not use your login name.
• Do not use words in a dictionary, in any language.
• Do not use names or proper names or media characters.
• Do not use any of the above spelled backwards.
• Do not use any of the above preceded or followed by a number.
• Do not use any information easily obtained about you:  phone number, license number, address, place of work, college, etc...
• Do not use birthdates.
• Avoid sequences or repeated characters.  "12345678", "222222", 'abcdefg", "asdfjkl;"
• Avoid using only look-alike substitutions of numbers or symbols.  "MIcr0$0ft", "P@ssw0rd"
• Avoid using the same password everywhere.
• Do not place password on sticky note under the keyboard (or elsewhere).

Keep your Password Secret

• Do not reveal to others.
• Protect any recorded passwords.
• Never provide your password over email or based on an e-mail request.
• Change your passwords at least once a semester.
• Do not type passwords on computers that you do not control (trust).
• Only enter passwords into secure sites and authentic sites.