Miami University

New IT services feature rates passwords

11/15/2007

To protect personal data and university confidential information, IT services has installed a new feature to the password-reset utility that rates a password for strength and complexity.

When the user chooses a password, the online utility will show a rating based on the selection. A password must earn at least a "strong" rating for it to be accepted. Otherwise, the user will be asked to make a new choice. A strong password is one that is 8-15 characters long and uses at least one upper case letter, one lower case letter and one numeral between 0-9. The more complex a password, the higher the rating.

Passwords expire every 180 days and users have 14 days to change passwords. For tips on choosing a strong password that is easy to remember, see the Knowledge Base, case 18591.

For more information, call the IT services support desk, 529-7900, or e-mail supportdesk@muohio.edu.