Passwords
Choosing a Secure Password
There are several systems at Concordia on which students and staff may have an account. Alcor, for example, allows you to send and receive e-mail, and upload files to the Web or storage. The MyConcordia portal not only displays personal information, but allows you to modify it as well. These accounts require passwords, which in turn help keep your account, and all information contained therein, protected.
Unfortunately, passwords can be hacked, and accounts may be tampered with as a result. To protect yourself against such a security threat, choose a secure password for each of your accounts and do not share it with others. Below are some tips on choosing a secure password. Though some may seem like common sense, they are often ignored.
- Avoid using dictionary words, names of people or places, phone numbers and birthdates. Software exists specifically for guessing passwords, and these types of words are the most commonly guessed.
- Do not use your username as your password! This is the easiest password for anyone to guess.
- Never share your password, especially in writing. You may be giving it to a trustworthy person, but there is never any guarantee that less scrupulous people are not intercepting your e-mail or chat sessions.
- Do not save your password in your settings (i.e., web browsers, e-mail clients). Anyone with access to your computer could very easily - even accidentally - log in as you.
- Choose a different password for each account. The average person has several accounts, and it may seem easier to remember one universal password. However, if anyone were to guess this password, imagine how much of your personal information would be compromised!