Password HOWTO

14 Jul 2003

Keeping a secure, private password is an important part of using the MTU network. Your password keeps your data and email secure. This document explains how to change your password, and how to choose a secure password.

You should also know how you can and can't use your account (and password). The MTU Computer Use Policy and MTU Network Policy describe the rules for computing at MTU.

Choosing a Secure Password

Here are a few tips for choosing passwords:

• Don't use your Tech ID (Social Security number or M00 number) as your password.
• Don't use an easily guessed password, such as a dictionary word, your dog's name, or your birth date.
• Don't use the same password that you use on computers outside the department.
• Don't write down your password.
• Use a password that's at least six characters long.
• Use a password that contains letters, numbers, and special characters (like "'" or ".").

A good method for choosing a password is to start with an easily remembered phrase, such as "It's not cold until it's forty below." Then construct a password based on that phrase, like "Incui's40b." If you forget your password but remember the phrase, you can reconstruct your password.

Another option is using a random password. You can use apg (the Automated Password Generator) to generate a random password on a Sun workstation or the login server. Here's what apg looks like:

   cube(1)% apg
   TrevJi (Trev-Ji)
   iabjan+ (iab-jan-PLUS_SIGN)
   rodCit$ (rod-Cit-DOLLAR_SIGN)
   CukChyss (Cuk-Chyss)
   dybArj (dyb-Arj)
   migtuk] (mig-tuk-RIGHT_BRACKET)

By default, apg generates five passwords, one on each line. Each password is followed by a (somewhat) pronounceable version you can use to remember the password. See the manual page (man apg) for more details.

Changing Your Password

Already logged in to a Sun workstation:

1. Click the Terminal icon (the one with the "X") on the Front Panel at the bottom of the screen.
2. Type passwd and press Return.
3. Follow the prompts to change your password.

Using a Sun workstation, but not already logged in:

1. On the Sun login screen, choose Options | Session | Login To Change Your Password.
2. Enter your user name and press Return.
3. Enter your current password and press Return again.
4. Move the mouse pointer to the top of the screen to focus the command window.
5. Follow the prompts to change your password. You will be logged off when the process is complete.

Using a Windows PC:

1. Login to the Windows PC, if you haven't already.
2. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click Change Password....
3. Enter your current password and new password twice.
4. Click OK.
5. Logout if you are finished using the PC.

All others:

1. Connect using SSH to the login server (login.geo.mtu.edu or login.rsi.mtu.edu). See our SSH page for details on using SSH.
2. Type passwd and press Enter.
3. Follow the prompts to change your password.
4. Type logout to disconnect when you're finished.

Troubleshooting

Mismatch - password unchanged. Unable to get new password.

Your new password didn't match both times you typed it. Try again.

The specified password is invalid.

You entered your old password incorrectly, your new password is too simple, or there is some other problem with your password. Try again, and if the error persists, contact the system administration staff.

If you have questions about this document, or computing questions in general, geomaint@mtu.edu or rsimaint@mtu.edu. Thanks for your cooperation.