Create & Maintain a Secure Password

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

Overview

Passwords are an important aspect of computer security. They are the defensive frontline that provides protection for your user account. A poorly chosen password equates to a weak frontline, and may result in the theft of your user account. A stolen user account could then be utilized to expose other network resources within the college. Therefore, all ABAC faculty, students, and employees (including contractors and vendors with access to ABAC systems) are responsible for ensuring their accounts are protected by secure passwords.

Why Should I Care About Password Security?

Your unique name, or userID, allows you to access the resources and services associated with the ABAC’s network. Every time you connect, you are challenged for a string of characters known as your password for validation purposes. If someone else determines your password, they can effectively assume your electronic identity. This means that individual then has full access to your files, your e-mail, personal information, and more. This intruder could modify or destroy your files, send threats via e-mail in your name, or subscribe to unwanted services for which you'd have to pay. In short, an insecure password can easily wreak havoc in your life.

Characteristics of a Strong Password

  • Strong passwords are required for all accounts and should be 8 characters long, a mixture of upper and lower case letters, punctuation and numeric characters.
  • Passwords should be changed every 3-6 months.
  • Passwords should remain confidential and original.

How to Remember Complex Passwords

It is possible to construct a password that is acceptable and memorable. The following are provided as examples only and should not be used; create your own password unique and memorable to yourself.

  • Creating a "pass phrase" is one way that helps to memorize a complex password. An example of a valid and secure pass phrase might be "Tqbf^0t1D" which is based on the old typing practice sentence "The Quick Brown Fox Jumped Over the Lazy Dog!" Substituting numeric or special characters adds to the complexity of the password making it much more difficult to crack.
  • Use lines from a childhood verse:
    Verse Line: Yankee Doodle went to town
    Password: Ydw2~twn
  • Foods disliked during childhood:
    Food: rice and raisin pudding
    Password: r1c&ra1P
  • My license plate is "880-PTW". That's not acceptable; hackers know that people will use their license plate as a password so it's very easy to scan for passwords which are license plates. So, let's mix it up a bit - "88oh-PtW" is acceptable and is such a minor variation that I ought to be able to remember it.
  • Passwords should never be a word found in a dictionary (even foreign). Instead, use two or more words joined together. Or, use a combination of words and numbers. For example, instead of "dog and cat", use d0g+C4t! In this example, we have used upper and lowercase, numeric, and special characters thus creating a very secure and easy to remember password.

Password Caveats (Should Not)

  • Passwords should not be shared or written down. Treat your password like Kleenex, once shared with a friend don't use it again.
  • Passwords should not be a word found in a dictionary (even foreign).
  • Passwords should not contain any form of your name or userid. Don't use obvious passwords like "password", "guest", "user", or "admin".
  • Don't use personal information, such as names of family members or pets, your date of birth, social security number, or other similar information as part of a password. Since such information may be public, you should not use it in a password, even in combination with other characters.
  • Don't use common words or acronyms; spelled forwards or backwards.

Protecting Yourself Against Password Loss

  • DO NOT record your password on a post-it note stuck to your monitor or slid under your keyboard.
  • If you have a secure location, such as a safe or a safety deposit box, you may want to store a written copy of your passwords there. Do not record your userID in the same location.
  • Log off your computer at the end of the day.
  • Avoid using password-saving features, such as Microsoft's Auto Complete feature.
  • Use a password-protected screen saver if you leave your computer, even for a few minutes.
  • If you think your password has been compromised, change it immediately.
  • Remind everyone in your work area or office to change his or her passwords if someone in the group is suddenly put on disciplinary leave, or is fired.

Writing down your password

There is a rule of thumb in the security community that one should never write down a password. Writing down a password increases the risk of it falling into the wrong hands. However, the policy we enforce is such that it is often difficult to remember a password. The requirement for remembering more than one password further complicates the situation. If this is the case, then you could record them, but make sure that they are stored in a secure place - white boards, sticky notes on your monitor, and under your keyboard are not considered secure. Passwords should never be recorded with your userID as you would never record your pin number on your bankcard.