How do I select a safe UMICH Kerberos password?

Why You Need a Secure Password

Your password allows you to authenticate—or prove your identity—when you access the U-M computing environment. Anyone having your password can assume your identity—you become a victim of identity theft.

Think of all the information you store on your computer and your University computing account. If someone else has your password, your electronic life—including e-mail, class projects, and your student account—becomes available. That person can send malicious e-mail in your name and modify or destroy your files.

Your password can also be used to commit fraud, post child pornography, send spam, make threats, break into other systems, and much more. If anything malicious or criminal is done through your account, you will have to prove you are not the culprit!

Requirements for Creating a Secure Password

Use 9 or more characters.
Do NOT use plain dictionary words.
Include at least 3 of the following:
- Lowercase letters
- Uppercase letters
- Numerals
- Punctuation (do not create a space with the space bar as the first or last character)

TIP: Make a strong and memorable password by using the first letter of the words in a phrase, in combination with the other stated criteria. For example, "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth" becomes "4S&7yaofb4th"

Change your password now.

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