Passphrase/Password

Your NetID passphrase/password works in conjunction with your NetID to validate your identity on the NU Network. As your "key" to the network and your user account, your passphrase/password should be guarded carefully and never shared with anyone.

Your NetID password is subject to certain content requirements.

It must:

• be 6-8 characters in length.
• contain a non-alphabetical character such as 1 2 3 ! $ & * , ? + =
• contain one or more non-alphabetical characters between alphabetical characters (example: "A3b", "j3;M").

It cannot:

• be a password used in the previous 18 months.
• be similar to your previous password.
• be a palindrome (example: "abc.cba", "cb,,bc").
• include the characters # @ ' " ` \
• include character strings from any part of your name (examples for "James Smith": "James", "ames", "mith").
• include part of your name with upper case characters (example: "AmeS").
• include part of your name with numbers substituted for letters (example: "j4m3s").
• include reserved strings (example: "wild", "cats").
• include part of reserved strings with upper case characters (example: "WilD', "cAtS").
• include part of reserved strings with numbers substituted for letters (example: "wi1d", "E3e3").
• include repeated letters or numbers (example: "AaAa", "3E3e", "aaaa").
• include runs of adjacent keys (example: "hjkl").

Creating your own secure passphrase/password

A passphrase is a phrase or sentence from which you can generate a password. Think of a passphrase that is unique to you and is easy to remember. Use the first letter of each word to create a secure password, such as Ic,Is,Ic (I came, I saw, I conquered).

How are passwords cracked?

Dictionary programs are just one tool used by hackers to crack passwords. A hacker can pass every word in a dictionary (English, foreign language, slang) through a login program hoping that a word will eventually match a password. The hacker will use someone else's password to gain access to secure information or to cover his or her tracks on the way to another target. Outsmart hackers by using a passphrase!

Is my passphrase/password secure?

Your passphrase/password is NOT secure if:

• someone who knows you would be able to guess it.
• it's too common (examples: coldplay, cubbybear, searstower) or is a word that can be found in a dictionary.
• less than eight (8) characters long.

Change your passphrase/password often!

Frequent passphrase/password changes are essential to protect the security of the University network. You may change your passphrase/password as often as you like. Northwestern uses a "passphrase/password aging" system which requires you to change your passphrase/password for your NetID every 120 days. You will receive an e-mail reminder to change your passphrase/password 42 days before your password expires.

Passphrase/password DO's and DON'Ts:

• DO use a passphrase.
• DO change your password often.
• DO use different passphrases/passwords for different 'classes' of information you use, such as work, school, personal, and financial information.

• DON'T use information that can be obtained about you, such as a license plate or phone number, or the names of children or pets.
• DON'T use words found in the dictionary or two words separated by punctuation.
• DON'T use passphrases/passwords with fewer than eight (8) characters.
• DON'T use features that offer to 'remember your password'.
• DON'T keep a 'default' password. Make your own!

What if I forget my password?

If you previously set a PIN number for online identification, you may reset your password.

If you previously set a question and answer combination for online identification, you may call the NUIT Support Center to have your password reset by a consultant.

If you do not have a PIN or a question/answer combination, you must bring your WildCARD to the NUIT Support Center on the Evanston campus.

• Change password
• Check password
• Record Q/A for password recovery
• Reset password
• NetID and Password Security

NUIT Support Center

Central helpdesk for faculty, staff, and students.
847-491-HELP (4357)
consultant@northwestern.edu