Regarding Passwords

A password that is properly generated, updated and kept secret can provide effective security. Below are guidelines for choosing a good password:

Do NOT use any of the following:

• Your username or login name
• Your social security number
• Names of places
• Words found in the English or any foreign dictionary
• Any part of your name - first, last, or middle
• Your initials
• Names of friends, family, or pets
• Birthdays
• Phone numbers or addresses
• Any other personal information that could be guessed
• Your computer's name
• Repetition of the same letter
• Sequences of keyboard keys, such as "12345" or “abcdef”
• Any minor variation of the above, such as adding a character or number to the end of your name

Do use any the following:

• Eight or more characters
• Words that do not make any sense but are easy to pronounce and are not found in any dictionary
• Special characters (*!$+) mixed with letters and numbers
• Mixed upper- and lower-case letters - putting capitals in random locations throughout a password is effective
• Punctuation characters mixed with letters and numbers
Hint: A good way to choose a secure but easily remembered password is to use the first character of each word in a phrase. For example, "isab*DAY" stands for "It’s such a beautiful day"; the asterisk is included for extra security. (Don't use this password!)
Important:
• Never give your password to anyone
• Choose a password that you can remember
• NEVER write down our password
• If someone has learned your password, change it immediately
• Do not allow anyone to observe you typing your password

Windows XP Strong Password Policy

The Windows XP operating system has built in password complexity requirements that can be easily enabled. In addition to the above guidelines, enabling the Windows XP Strong Password policy will create an additional level of password security on your computer.

The Windows XP Strong Password Policy requires characters from three of the following four categories:

• English uppercase characters (from A through Z)
• English lowercase characters (from A through Z)
• Numeric characters (from 0 through 9)
• Non-alphanumeric (special) characters (for example: !, $, #, @, %)