October is Cyber Security Month, so we want to share with you some tips on how to keep safe when working online. This week we’re covering how to create strong passwords.
What makes a strong password?
Using three random words is the advice from the National Centre for Cyber Security (NCSC) when creating your passwords.
By using a password that’s made up of three random words, you’re creating a password that will be strong enough to keep the criminals out but easy enough for you to remember.
Don't use words that are easily guessed or gleaned from your social media. Try to make the words as random and unrelated as possible, for example, 'vanilla-reopen-splashy'. We would recommend using a Password Generator tool.
The University's password policy requires a password of at least 10 characters that includes an upper-case and lower-case letter and a number. It must also be different from your old password. You can find more information on our password policy.
Some useful dos and don'ts with passwords:
- Do use two-factor authentication when it's available to keep your accounts safe
- Do make sure all your passwords are unique, and don't repeat them for different accounts
- Do use your browser or a password manager to help you to remember your passwords – remember to use a strong master password for a password manager
- Don't use a commonly used password such as 'password1' or a password based on any publicly available information, like your birthday or the name of your pet
- Don't reveal your passwords to anyone – your IT team or other provider will reset your password if necessary
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