Every account that Information Technology and Services (ITS) issues is comprised of a NetID and a password. Passwords are intended to help prevent unauthorized access to your account and may not be shared. To keep the account secure from unauthorized access, the account owner must keep the password secret, change the password often, and report to ITS if anyone is using the account without permission.
For more information about policies governing the use of computer accounts at Syracuse University, please refer to the Information Technology Resources Acceptable Use Policy.
Changing ITS Passwords
Use the online account system to change your NetID password. To change your password, you will need your NetID username and your current NetID password.
If you forget your NetID password, you may use the online account system to reset it. In order to reset your password, you will need your NetID username, SUID and remediation mobile phone or alternate email address.
Developing Strong Passwords
Passwords are like passports or blank checks: if lost or stolen they give hackers a world of opportunity to access your personal, financial and work information. Make strong passwords for your accounts to keep your personal information safe.
When creating a new password, keep in mind some of the ways in which your password could be vulnerable. One way is by people simply "guessing" your password based on things they know about you. Another way is through password cracking software.
The following guidelines can help you create passwords that increase the level of difficulty and the time needed for someone to determine your password.
Always:
- Use 8 characters or more (SU Netid allows up to 16 characters)
- Include numbers, letters (both upper and lower case), and special characters
- Make sure at least 4 characters are different
Avoid:
- Any word in any language spelled either forward or backward
- Numbers that reference dates, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, etc.
- Made up words or nicknames someone might associate with you including your userid
- Repeating characters
- Reusing the same password for accounts
Creating strong passwords
- Create a “vanity plate” password. Example choose your favorite movie or song lyric or short phrase and translate it to something easy to memorize like
“Let’s stay together”- lt$A2Gtr.
- Use various versions of it for different accounts like [Movie in Caps] + [Last Digit of Current Year] + [Special Character] + [Site Type in Small Case]
[Gone with the Wind] + [2012] + [Asterisk] + [Amazon]
And the password becomes: GWTW2*az
Managing Passwords
- See more password advice to better manage your passwords and keep your information safe.
Passwords DO's and DON'T's
Do Your Part...Don't Be a Security Risk!
Do's
- Follow suggested rules for creating strong passwords
- Memorize your password or store it in a secure place
- Change your password regularly
- Use a password protected screen saver
- Use care when entering your password in front of others
- Set a good security example for others
- Immediately change your password if you suspect it may have been compromised.
- Report any potential security breach
- Log out whenever you are away from your desk or finished for the day
Don'ts
- Share your password with anyone
- Login to allow others to use your access
- Use anyone else's access
- Allow unauthorized access to your computer through peer-to-peer sharing
- Think a security breach can't happen to you