MUnet Password / Guide: Create secure Miami credentials

Body

Objective

  • To provide guidelines on creating a secure MUnet password 
  • To provide guidelines on creating secure Miami credentials 
  • To provide guidelines on password requirements and format 

User

  • Miami University Staff, Faculty, Student

Environment

  • Security
  • MUnet Password

Rationale

  • Poorly-chosen passwords are responsible for many compromised or damaged accounts

Guidelines 

Create a secure password

  • Your password should be:
    • at least sixteen characters in length — in general, longer is better
    • composed of a mix of letters (abc...), capitalization (aAbBcC...), numbers (1234...), and special characters (*&^%$@)
      • If your MUnet password is sixteen characters in length and contains all four types of characters listed above, it will be good for five years instead of the usual six months
    • memorable — if your password is so complex that you cannot remember it without writing it down, choose another password
    • private — passwords should not be shared with anyone, even support staff

 

Choose your technique wisely

  • Avoid poor passwords by choosing a creative technique
    • Pick a phrase that you can remember and compact it into a password
      • example: Bob is too witty becomes Bobis2witty (don't use the word Bob if that is your own name)
    • Pick a phrase that you can remember and use the first letter of each word to create a password
      • example: All of my 3 children are wonderful kids becomes Aom3cawk
    • Combine parts of several words to create a password
      • example: If my mother's maiden name is Burger and all of her 12 family members are crazy for pie, I might construct a password like Burg12allnuts4pie
    • Many web sites provide tips on selecting good passwords: Conduct an Internet search on password security for more ideas

 

Avoid commonalities

  • Do not use:
    • a word that can be found in any dictionary — English, Chinese, French, German, Farsi, etc.
    • a value that is the same as your UniqueID
    • your name or birth date, your significant other's name or birth date, your child's name or birth date, your dog's name, your mother or father's name, favorite band, etc.
    • your computer system's name
    • your favorite movie title or band or book
    • your street name or city
    • any of the passwords that are listed as examples on this page

 

Details

Details

Article ID: 6604
Created
Fri 6/5/15 11:14 AM
Modified
Thu 6/13/24 11:13 AM
Can you resolve this issue yourself?
Yes! This is self-service with a smile.

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