Passphrases: Your Key to Safer Computing

"Change your password often." At Northwestern, that's not just good advice... it's the rule!

Your NetID password-the one you use to access e-mail, authenticated Web sites, your Meeting Maker account, and many other University resources-must be changed at least every 120 days. If you don't comply, NUIT deactivates your NetID to ensure the security of the network.

But did you also know that failing to have a secure password for you computer will put you at great risk to computer hackers. If you log into your computer without having to put in a password, your information may be vulnerable. Using a secure password will put you on the right path toward Getting Control.


To get started on computer security, visit NUIT's
5 Simple Steps to Get Control or download the
Get Control brochure (pdf).

Creating a secure password, think passphrase!

Your password should be one you can remember without writing down, but it should also be difficult for others to guess and difficult for increasingly sophisticated password-cracking software to decipher. That excludes (among other things) dictionary words in any language, and personal information (such as your pet's name).

To make it simple and keep it secure, NUIT recommends the use of a "passphrase" when creating a password. Think of a phrase or sentence that's easy to remember and use the first letter of each word. A good passphrase contains alphabetic and non-alphabetic characters, like Ic,Is,Ic (I came, I saw, I conquered). Guard your passphrase carefully, don't share it with anyone, and change it often!

Find more information on choosing a good passphrase on NUIT's Password page.