Password Requirements
All computer users are required to enter a password to access the university network or university computer systems. Passwords are our first defense agains intrusion and unauthorized access. They protect university sytems and data - which includes YOUR personal data.
Your university passwords (computer, network, blackboard, etc) are required to meet the following criteria:
- Must not contain all or part of your username
- Must be at least 8 characters in length
- Must contain characters from three (3) of the following four (4) categories:
- Uppercase letters (A through Z)
- Lowercase letters (a through z)
- Digits (0 through 9)
- Non-alphanumeric symbols or characters (for example: %,$,#,!,^)
- You cannot re-use any of your recent passwords
- Your university password must be changed periodically. The minimum interval at which you must reset your password is every 180 days. However, users are encouraged to change system passwords frequently.
Tips for creating stronger passwords:
- Make it lengthy! Stop thinking passwords, and start thinking about phrases.
- Create a rule for yourself that you always convert one letter into a specific character. For example change each ‘p’ into a ‘%’.
- Mix capital and lowercase letters throughout the entire pass-phrase, not just at the beginning or end.
- Never use a person's name or any word that can be found in the dictionary. Breaking up words with special characters or numbers is an easy way to avoid this.
- Never used easily-guessed personal information such as birthdates, addresses, children's or pet's names, etc.
- Instead of using these easily guessed passwords, use something that reminds you of these things.
- Employees: Do not use the same passwords for work as you do for personal use.
Why are USF passwords so complex?
Studies have shown that it takes less than 15 seconds to crack a password that does not meet these complexity requirements. Requiring more secure passwords is just the first small step in ensuring that University systems and data are protected.