Campus Connection

Often a password is the first line of defense against an intrusion into a computer system and personal information. Such an important combination of characters deserves careful consideration. Yet, all too often, people consider the task of assigning a password tedious and they settle for one that is not secure. Programs designed to crack passwords try combinations of letters until a match is found. For the security of your personal information, it's essential to have a password that's not easy to guess. At UW-La Crosse, an employee or student’s NET ID password protects not only their personal information, but the security of UW-L’s computer system as a whole, says Jim Treu, UW-L information security officer. Password Do’s:

• Whenever possible, use eight characters or more
• Use characters that take advantage of the full keyboard – including numbers, letters and symbols
• Change your password often and change it in more ways than one – People with a UW-L New ID receive a notification to visit https://secure.uwlax.edu/password/ to change their password every 120 days.
• Create a strong password

Here are simple steps for creating a strong password from About.com

• Think of a phrase or saying you’ll remember
• Use the first letters of each word
• Lengthen the phrase by tagging something on the end such as a website or computer software name (examples: gmail, Vista or Win7).
• Scramble the phrase by swapping symbols for letters and adding upper case and lower case letters

Password Don’ts:

• Don’t write your password down
• Don’t share your password with others or via email
• Don’t use a dictionary word
• Don’t use a foreign word
• Don’t simply write a word backwards
• Don’t use a word related to your personal information such as your name, birthday or a child’s name or pet name
• Don’t use the same password for entry into separate systems or accounts

This is the second of four information security stories in the Campus News this month as part of Information Security Awareness Month. Throughout October, UW-L information technology and communication officials will be providing tips for more security in the Internet age. Stay tuned for tips on system security and mobile security.