Log off Advantage before leaving the workstation. Change passwords on a regular basis, e.g., every 90 days or sooner, especially when there is an attempt to access the account or if someone may have learned of the password. This type of information is public knowledge and should not be used to formulate a password. Common words should not be used for passwords since hackers have programs that automatically search through dictionaries trying each entry as a password. A good password is impossible to break, easy to remember, and long enough so that trying random combinations of letters will not uncover it.
Creativity is important in choosing a password.
Combining the first letters from the words of a line in a favorite song along with a random number or letter is just one way to form a good password that is cryptic but easy to remember. Once the user has chosen a password, it is important to protect it. Do not write the password on paper or Post-it note kept near the workstation. Users should treat computer accounts and passwords as valuable commodities. Changing Passwords Passwords should be changed regularly.