Strong Passwords

DoIT strongly recommends that you protect your passwords carefully. One of the best ways to prevent identity theft is to use a strong password when you are asked to create one.

A strong password should be complex, not easily guessed, and not part of any dictionary or possible list. It should be entirely made up.

Elements of a Strong Password

  1. Passwords should contain at least 8 characters.
  2. Passwords should not contain a dictionary word at all and never one more than three letters long.
  3. Passwords should contain characters from at least three of the following sets: upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers, and non-alpha-numeric characters. Example:

    doghh123

    would not work BUT

    Doghh123

    would, because it uses an upper case letter, lower case letters, and numbers, three of the four suggested sets.

  4. Passwords should be changed every 90 days.
  5. Recycle passwords so you have at least 10 distinct changes.

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