Strong Passwords
One of the most common ways for hackers to gain access to personal information is by cracking passwords. With one keystroke they can attempt to hack into thousands of computers using hundreds of combinations of passwords. Out of the thousands of computers hit a handful of passwords will be cracked. This page will teach you how to chose a password that can help protect you from malicious attacks.
Making Good Passwords
Phrases:
- Combine a letter from each word in a phrase
- Pharases could come from: song lyrics, a favorite poem, a meaningful quote, or a totally random combination
Examples:
- Quote: Jack and Jill own two cats named Whiskers and Tuna.
- Password: J&Jo2cnW&T
- Quote: When the lights out it’s less dangerous, here we are now entertain us.
- Password: Wtl01ldhw4n3u
It's good to have a few different passwords to use for different accounts.
Characteristics of a Strong Password
- Be at least eight characters long
- Passwords may not contain words found in a dictionary
- Must NOT be anything easily associated with you such as
- your user id
- your name
- your phone number
- your address
- your pet's name
- your birthday
- friends or family member names or birthdays
- any other information that can be easily found about you
- Must include three of the following four elements
- upper case letters
- lower case letters
- digits
- punctuation
Using the tips and characteristics above, try making a strong password. Once you’ve made one you’re comfortable with, memorize it, and store it securely if you need to.
Also, don't forget to visit your Gatorlink account to update your password.
Storing Your Password
Once you create a strong, hard-to-crack password, you may want to write it down. Just make sure it's discretely hidden and protect it like a credit card, for example.
Fun Password Tip:
"Passwords are like underwear"
- Passwords are like underwear. Change yours often.
- Passwords are like underwear. Don't share them with friends.
- Passwords are like underwear. The longer, the better.
- Passwords are like underwear. Be mysterious.
- Passwords are like underwear. Don't leave yours lying around.
Click here to view and print the "Passwords are Like Underwear" pdf poster
For a more technical description of passwords please review the Gatorlink Password Managment Policy
