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, online bank and credit accounts, health records, or grades and financial aid information on MyUCDavis.
  • Open new accounts under your name or charge purchases to your bank accounts or credit cards 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:

  • Never share your passwords with anyone via email or telephone. Don’t fall for email scams that threaten to close your account if you don’t confirm your password, even if the email appears to be from UC Davis. These are calling PHISHING SCAMS. UC Davis will NEVER ask you to share your password. For more about phishing, see the Phishing FAQ. To see a sample phishing email, see the Don’t Let Phishers Play You flyer.
  • Create strong passwords by using a combination of upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters and making passwords at least 8 characters long.
  • If you need to write your password down, store the paper in a locked drawer or cabinet rather than posting it 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!). Or, 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: