Please check the following information on safe computing. If you have questions, please contact us.
For service please open a helpdesk ticket or contact us by email at RCCCitdirector@roanokechowan.edu.
Safe Computing - Passwords & Pass-Phrases
We often hear from students, faculty and staff: "Why should I worry if someone else obtains my password?" and "I don't have anything important or of value to anyone stored on my computer." Your network password and or Pass-Phrase authorize you to use the R-CCC network. Once you gain access to the network, you share the network with hundreds of people at R-CCC and hundreds of millions of people via your Internet connection. You also share the resources that attach to our network. This includes e-mail, personal data, student records, coursework and research data. That's why it 's important to select strong Pass-Phrases and protect your Pass-Phrase. Click below for more Pass-Phrase information.
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Definition of Pass-Phrase
- A Pass-Phrase serves the same function as a password.
- It is generally longer than a password and may include words, letters, numbers and special characters.
- Pass-Phrases are easier to remember because they are based on phrases that mean something to you.
Example: Consider the following phrase: "Only 3 more weeks until vacation time!" *Take the first letter of each word: "O3mwuvt!" and you have an 8-digit Pass-Phrase that's easy to remember. The phrase contains mixed case, a number, and a "special" character, which meets the minimum requirements for Pass-Phrase strength.
*Please do not use the example above for your Pass-Phrase, these are examples only!
Tips for creating a Strong Password or Pass-Phrase
A Pass-Phrase can be a sentence where you select the first letter of each word as your password. It will make no sense to anyone but you. A Pass-Phrase can also be an entire sentence with numbers and symbols added. Select a sentence that has meaning to you. Use the first letter of each word of that sentence and add capitalization, symbols and special characters to it.
bullet, like these:
- Is Econ 220 being offered this semester? (IE2bots?)
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- Only three more weeks until vacation time! (O3mwuVt!)
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- The book title The Paradise of Bachelors and The Tartarus of Maids becomes (TpoBaTt0m).
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- The affirmation I will become president of the United States becomes (IwbP0US!).
Select a sentence and add symbols, capitalization and numbers to it and use the entire
bullet phrase as your password (Do not select phrases that are common to everyone), try some like these:
- Our@#WeatherIs2Humid!
- TrigoNometry!Classr0cks
Guidelines on what to avoid in Pass-Phrases:
Avoid using personal information. For example, your name, your user ID, the name of a spouse, child, friend, or pet.
bullet - Avoid using information easily obtained about you, such as license plate numbers, telephone numbers, social security numbers, the brand of your automobile, the name of the street you live on, etc.
- Avoid using a Pass-Phrase made of all digits or repeating the same letter to create a Pass-Phrase.
- Avoid using a word contained in any dictionary, spelling list, or other word list in any language.
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- Avoid using simple transformations of a word such as reversing the spelling, changing uppercase to lower-case or vice versa, or using all capitalization.
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- Avoid writing down your Pass-Phrase.
- Avoid sharing your Pass-Phrase with anyone.
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- Avoid using any of the examples above or other common passwords.
Additional Info on Protecting your Pass-Phrase
It 's very important to select strong Pass-Phrases and protect your Pass-Phrase. Below are a few methods to help in protecting your PhasPhrase.
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Don't use easily guessable Pass-Phrase. A few examples of easily guessable Pass-Phrase are spouse's name, dog's name, room number, school name or mascot, building name, zip code....
- Change all default passwords immediately on the first login.
- Don't post your Pass-Phrase on a sticky note on your monitor, phone, keyboard, etc. Don't think that putting it under your calendar or in your desk drawer will help (1st places an intruder will look)
- Your supervisors cannot require you to reveal your passwords for any reason. Contact Human resources if you cannot resolve this request.
Change your Pass-Phrase regularly. If you think someone may have your Pass-Phrase, change it NOW.
- Don't reveal personal information on the phone or via e-mail. Social engineers are known to ask seemingly innocuous questions that will reveal confidential information.
If an ITCS service technician needs your Pass-Phrase you need to provide it in person and not over the phone. Obtain identification from the technician unless you know him/her.
- Change the Pass-Phrase when the technician leaves.
- Don't use the "remember the password" feature when logging on. This means your password is either stored on your computer or cached in memory. Others can then log into the application on your computer without using a password. Hackers can also find the password file and use it to log on.
Don't use Password Manager or Saver programs that offer to store your password for you. What happens if these sites are compromised?
Lock your computer whenever you leave it.
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