Password-handling Tips

Password should always be well protected. Some guidelines for password selection are provided below:

DON'Ts

  • Do not use your login name in any form (as-is, reversed, capitalized, doubled, etc.).
  • Do not use your first, middle or last name in any form.
  • Do not use your spouse's or child's name.
  • Do not use other information easily obtained about you. This includes ID card numbers, license plate numbers, telephone numbers, birth dates, the name of the street you live on, etc.
  • Do not use a password with the same letter like "aaaaaa".
  • Do not use consecutive letters or numbers like "abcdefgh" or "23456789".
  • Do not use adjacent keys on the keyboard like "qwertyui".
  • Do not use a word that can be found in an English or foreign language dictionary.
  • Do not use a word in reverse that can be found in an English or foreign language dictionary.
  • Do not use a well known abbreviation. This includes abbreviation of bureau or department name, project name, etc.
  • Do not use a password with fewer than six characters.
  • Do not reuse recently used passwords.

DOs

  • Use a password with a mix of at least six mixed-case alphabetic characters, numerals and special characters.
  • Use different passwords for different systems.
  • Use a password that is difficult to guess but easy for you to remember.
  • Use a password that you can type quickly, without having to look at the keyboard.

 

Password handling for end users

DON'Ts

  • Do not write down your password unless with sufficient protection.
  • Do not tell or give out your passwords even for a very good reason.
  • Do not display your password on the monitor.
  • Do not send your password unencrypted especially via Internet email.
  • Do not select the "remember your password" feature associated with web sites that contain your personal particulars (e.g. ID card number) and disable this feature in your browser software.
  • Do not store your password in any media.

DOs

  • Change your password regularly (e.g. every 90 days).
  • Change the default or initial password the first time you login.
  • Change your password immediately if you suspect that it has been compromised.
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