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Information Systems works continuously to improve the security of the LLCC network infrastructure. As a user on our network, you control one of the most important aspects of our security, your password. The password you choose to use, and the length of time you keep this password, play an immeasurable part in determining how safe your user account will be.

Your password is the only way our network can confirm that you are who you claim to be. This means that someone else with your user ID and password is indistinguishable from you to our systems. Anything that they choose to do with your account has the same weight as if you were doing it yourself, including deleting files, modifying records or sending emails.

Your password can grant you access to any number of LLCC resources including, but not limited to, the workstation you use, email, Blackboard, the Portal and Colleague. When someone else has your password it means that any information that you can access can be compromised.

Your password is the only way our network can confirm that you are who you claim to be. This means that someone else with your user ID and password is indistinguishable from you to our systems. Anything that they choose to do with your account has the same weight as if you were doing it yourself, including deleting files, modifying records or sending emails.

Your password can grant you access to any number of LLCC resources including, but not limited to, the workstation you use, email, Blackboard, the Portal and Colleague. When someone else has your password it means that any information that you can access can be compromised.

A number of factors contribute to the overall security of a password.

· Privacy - A password must not be shared with anyone.

· Length - The longer a password, the harder it is for someone to guess it. Avoid simple words that can be found in a dictionary. Our system accepts passwords from 6-9 characters and requires that there be at least one letter and one number.

· Complexity - Passwords can include varied case and many types of punctuation, including spaces.

o Passwords are case sensitive. This means that "password", "Password", "PASSWORD", and "passWord" are all unique passwords. Never use an example password as your own.

o Try to include punctuation characters in your password. Our system will accept most punctuation in a password with the following exceptions: “;”, “/”, “?”, “:”, “@”, “&”, “=”. Adding punctuation makes a password considerably more secure.

· Frequent changes - The longer you use a specific password, the more likely it is that it will be compromised. Any attempts to guess your password are lost when you change your password, making it even harder still for the 'bad guys'.

A number of factors contribute to the overall security of a password.

· Privacy - A password must not be shared with anyone.

· Length - The longer a password, the harder it is for someone to guess it. Avoid simple words that can be found in a dictionary. Our system accepts passwords from 6-9 characters and requires that there be at least one letter and one number.

· Complexity - Passwords can include varied case and many types of punctuation, including spaces.

o Passwords are case sensitive. This means that "password", "Password", "PASSWORD", and "passWord" are all unique passwords. Never use an example password as your own.

o Try to include punctuation characters in your password. Our system will accept most punctuation in a password with the following exceptions: “;”, “/”, “?”, “:”, “@”, “&”, “=”. Adding punctuation makes a password considerably more secure.

· Frequent changes - The longer you use a specific password, the more likely it is that it will be compromised. Any attempts to guess your password are lost when you change your password, making it even harder still for the 'bad guys'.

Passwords that can be guessed by those who know you are not secure. In an age where practically any personal information can be found with a web search, using events like anniversaries or birthdays or even the names of family, friends or pets is strongly discouraged.

You can test the strength of your desired password using several web services like the following:

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx
http://www.securitystats.com/tools/password.php

The password you use should be rated no less than "Strong"

If you would like help creating a password, web sites like this can help:

http://www.pctools.com/guides/password/

Passwords that can be guessed by those who know you are not secure. In an age where practically any personal information can be found with a web search, using events like anniversaries or birthdays or even the names of family, friends or pets is strongly discouraged.

You can test the strength of your desired password using several web services like the following:

http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx
http://www.securitystats.com/tools/password.php

The password you use should be rated no less than "Strong"

If you would like help creating a password, web sites like this can help:

http://www.pctools.com/guides/password/

Password changes are done using a simple form we provide through WebAdvisor.

· Go to www.llcc.edu

· Click on the link for WebAdvisor

· Click on "Log In"

· Enter your user ID and your current password

· Click on "Change Password"

· Enter the following

o your User ID

o your current (now old) password

o The new password you would like to use

o You may also choose to include a hint that can later be used if you forget your password

Be sure to test your account after changing your password. Please wait for five minutes to allow for our servers to synchronize your new password. Contact the Helpdesk if you have any trouble.

You must update your password on your phone if you use it to check your email.

Password changes are done using a simple form we provide through WebAdvisor.

· Go to www.llcc.edu

· Click on the link for WebAdvisor

· Click on "Log In"

· Enter your user ID and your current password

· Click on "Change Password"

· Enter the following

o your User ID

o your current (now old) password

o The new password you would like to use

o You may also choose to include a hint that can later be used if you forget your password

Be sure to test your account after changing your password. Please wait for five minutes to allow for our servers to synchronize your new password. Contact the Helpdesk if you have any trouble.

You must update your password on your phone if you use it to check your email.

Many people believe that you should not write down your password. Within reason, this is incorrect. Most security professionals advocate that passwords which are easily remembered are not secure.

If you document your passwords, do not put your documentation in an obvious location, e.g., under your keyboard or pasted to your monitor. Keep the information in a safe place like a locked cabinet or in a wallet. It is best to not label the password. Should your note falls into the wrong hands; the finder will have to guess as to the meaning of the obscure collection of characters you have written down.

If you discover that you have lost track of your note, you should change your password immediately.

Many people believe that you should not write down your password. Within reason, this is incorrect. Most security professionals advocate that passwords which are easily remembered are not secure.

If you document your passwords, do not put your documentation in an obvious location, e.g., under your keyboard or pasted to your monitor. Keep the information in a safe place like a locked cabinet or in a wallet. It is best to not label the password. Should your note falls into the wrong hands; the finder will have to guess as to the meaning of the obscure collection of characters you have written down.

If you discover that you have lost track of your note, you should change your password immediately.

We at Information Systems are always here to help you. Please contact the ITS Helpdesk (x62555 or hd@llcc.edu) in the event that you have trouble changing or using your password.

Download these instruction in PDF format here.

We at Information Systems are always here to help you. Please contact the ITS Helpdesk (x62555 or hd@llcc.edu) in the event that you have trouble changing or using your password.

Download these instruction in PDF format here.