UC Davis Information & Educational Technology

Cyber-Safety Basics: Protect Passwords

Protect Passwords

Why should you protect passwords? Because passwords can be used to:

  • Gain access to your computer and to personal or finanical records.
  • Authorize transactions without your knowledge.
  • Access programs, files and applications that only you and/or a selected group of others should have access to.
  • Change passwords and lock you out of your own accounts.

To protect your passwords:

  • Don't use a word that can easily be found in a dictionary - English or otherwise.
  • Use at least eight characters.
  • Use a combination of characters, numbers and special characters.
  • If you need to write your password on a paper, safeguard the paper in a locked drawer or cabinet rather than posted to the monitor or under the keyboard. Better yet, use a phrase to help you remember your password, such as: MdHF&NAW! (My dog Has Fleas and Needs A Wash!)
  • Don't share your password - protect it the same as you would the key to your residence. After all, it is a "key" to your identity.
  • Store passwords in a safe place. Consider using KeePass Password Safe (http://keepass.info/), Keychain (Mac) or an encrypted USB drive to store passwords. Avoid keeping passwords on a Post-it under your keyboard, on your monitor or in a drawer near your computer!

To manage and/or change your campus passwords, go to: