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This article outlines the university's 14-character password requirements and provides a guide on using passphrases to create highly secure, memorable credentials.
Password Complexity Standards
To protect university data, all accounts must adhere to strict complexity rules. The easiest way to meet these standards is to use a passphrase—a series of random words joined together.
The Requirements
Passwords must be 14+ characters and include characters from at least three of these four categories:
- Uppercase Letters (A-Z)
- Lowercase Letters (a-z)
- Numbers (0-9)
- Special Characters (~!@#$%^&*_-+=`|\(){}[]:;"'<>,.?/)
Prohibited Content
The system will automatically reject passwords containing:
- Your Account Username
- Your Full Name
Usernames and names are easily guessed by automated tools and cannot be used in any form.
Strategy: Why Length Beats Complexity
Modern hacking tools can crack a complex 8-character password in seconds. However, for every character added to the length, you make the password exponentially harder to crack. This is why a 14-character passphrase is safer than a "random" 8-character string.
Not Recommended (Weak)
Tr0ubl3!#
Problem: This is too short. Common character substitutions (like '0' for 'o') are easily bypassed by hackers.
Recommended (Strong)
Green-Laptop-Piano-99!
Benefit: A 22-character length provides superior defense and is much easier for a human to remember.
Building Your Passphrase
- Select 3-4 Random Words: Pick words that have no obvious connection (e.g., Orchard, Gravity, Folder).
- Join Them: Use a separator like a hyphen (-) or period (.) to meet the special character requirement.
- Add Numbers and Case: Capitalize at least one word and add a number.
Example Result: Orchard-Gravity-Folder-88!