Creating Good Passwords

Creating Good Passwords: What to Avoid

* Do not create passwords that use a word or number pattern (e.g. aaabbb, qwerty, zyxwvuts, 123321, etc.).

* Do not create a password that is derived from a username (a reversed, capitalized, doubled, etc. username).

* Do not create a password that has a commonly known first, middle or last name in any form.

* Do not create a password that utilizes user initials or nickname(s).

* Do not create a password using a word contained in English or foreign dictionaries, spelling lists, or other word lists

* Do not create a password that uses information easily obtained (e.g. pet names, license plate numbers, telephone numbers, identification numbers, the brand of an automobile, a current address, etc.)

* Never write down (or type and record electronically) a password (e.g. on sticky notes, desk blotters, calendars, etc.).

* Do not create a password that is so complicated it must be written down.

# All passwords should have a minimum five character length. In general, longer passwords are more robust than shorter passwords (given other criteria noted below).

# All passwords should contain a combination of letters, numbers, and (given other criteria noted below) special characters as well.

# The first letter of a password should not be uppercase (rather, add uppercase letters within the password).

# Create passwords that can be typed quickly, without having to look at the keyboard (to decrease the probability that someone might steal your password observing your keyboard).

Examples of good passwords (please do not use these examples as passwords

sMa542(1A
357Pad@d
LiKeg00d