On most computing systems you have a set of credentials that allow you to access the system. In the department these credentials consist of your username and password.

Your username is known publicly and can not be change.

Your password is private and should be changed when your account is initially created or when you suspect your password has been or may have been compromised.

• Use numbers, letters and special symbols when constructing your password.
• Make your password at least 8 characters long, but the longer the better.
• Do not use a dictionary word, in any language, for your password.

On unix/linux systems passwords are changed with the passwd command. This command will

1. Request your old password
2. Request your new password
3. Request your new password

Note when supplying these passwords NOTHING will print to the screen. This is to prevent an observer from learning the length of your password, which would simplify a brute force attack on your password.