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Creating a good password

Create a password that is easy to remember but difficult for anyone else to guess.

The best passwords:

  • Are easy to remember, so they do not have to be written down.
  • Are not a dictionary-searchable word in any language.
  • Do not use proper names, such as Washington, Harry, Purdue, etc.
  • Do not use personal information, such as your phone number, street address, pet`s names, etc.

Additional suggestions that can make your password even better:

  • At least seven characters in length
  • Contain characters from at least three of the following four categories:
    • Capital letters ("A" through "Z")
    • Lowercase letters ("a" through "z");
    • Numbers ("0" through "9")
    • Nonalphanumeric characters (examples: !, $, #, %)
  • Do not contain all or part of the user`s account name