A password is a sequence of characters used to determine that a computer user requesting access to a computer system is really that particular user. Typically, users of a multiuser or securely protected single-user system claim a unique name (often called a user ID) that can be generally known. In order to verify that someone entering that user ID really is that person, a second identification, the password, known only to that person and to the system itself, is entered by the user. A password is typically somewhere between four and 16 characters, depending on how the computer system is set up. When a password is entered, the computer system is careful not to display the characters on the display screen, in case others might see it.
Good criteria when choosing a password or setting up password guidelines include the following:
%Donts
* Don’t pick a password that someone can easily guess if they know who you are (for example, not your Social Security number, birthday, or maiden name)
* Don’t pick a word that can be found in the dictionary (since there are programs that can rapidly try every word in the dictionary!)
* Don’t pick a word that is currently newsworthy
* Don’t pick a password that is similar to your previous password
%Dos
* Do pick a mixture of letters and at least one number
* Do pick a word that you can easily remember
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