Passwords
A password is a string of characters that is used to authenticate your identity and grant access to a system or service. Strong and unique passwords are essential for the security of your University of Exeter IT account.
Key takeaways
- If you forget your password, you can reset it using the Self-Service Password Reset tool.
- To change your password or view the minimum password requirements, you can go to Change your password.
- You should use strong "pass-phrases" instead of passwords because they are hard to guess, difficult to brute force, and easy to remember.
- A passphrase should still be long, complex, and unique such as "I lik3 my coffEE W4rm$". If you know more than one language, you can mix words from different languages for additional protection.
- Passphrases still need to meet the minimum password requirements. You should aim for at least 12 characters in length, uppercase and lowercase letters, and numbers.
What makes a password strong?
- Long
Longer passwords are more difficult to compromise. Aim for at least 12 characters in length. - Complex
Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters and numbers. - Unpredictable
Avoid common words, phrases, or personal information that can be easily guessed or obtained. - Unique
Use a different password for each account. If one password is compromised, the risk to other accounts is much lower.
Password best-practices
- Don’t share your passwords with anyone.
- Use a trusted password manager such as Microsoft Authenticator. The password manager will automatically generate, remember, and fill strong passwords for each account so you only need to remember one password.
- Change your passwords regularly.
- Set up two multi-factor authentication (MFA) methods. Even if your password is compromised, it’s very difficult for an attacker to access your account.
You can find more information from SharePoint - Information Security Advice and Guidance and Change your password.