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UDelNet accounts have access to University information and computing resources, which means they are prime targets for hackers. Every individual at the University is responsible for his or her own account, including the password to that account. Security is a vital concern; unsafe practices or negligence can compromise critical data and put your personal information at risk. Therefore, the University advises that UDelNet users take particular care with their login information.

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Image courtesy of xkcd.

 

Use different kinds of characters

Good passwords should be hard to guess but easy to remember and should include a variety of different characters. At UD, your password must include at least one character from three of these four character sets:

  • Uppercase letters
  • Lowercase letters
  • Numerals
  • Other characters (such as punctuation marks)

Avoid dictionary words and names

Avoid using dictionary words and names as passwords. Typically, password-cracking software uses a dictionary check to test whether an account has used a regular word as a password. Hackers routinely check for words, names, words or names spelled backwards, words or names with numerals added, and other simple variations on known words or names. Passwords that use combinations of letters, numbers, and special characters and that are not based on a single word or name are less likely to be cracked. Many experts indicate that the length of a password is critical.

Longer is stronger

Longer passwords are harder to crack. UDelNet passwords must include 12 to 30 characters, so there’s plenty of room for entire passphrases.

Passphrases are strings of words (without spaces) that make up longer passwords. They’re beneficial because they can be easier to remember than complicated strings of random characters. If you use a passphrase, avoid choosing a commonplace phrase, such as “DaretobeFirst!”, “Path-to-Prominence,” or “Fightin’BlueHens!”

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