Passwords

passwords

Passwords are the key to many systems and applications. Your password helps to prove who you are, ensure your privacy, and protect the privacy of data you may have access to.

Compromised passwords are one of the means by which unauthorized people gain access to a system. Someone logging on under your name has access not only to your computer files, but may also have access to your personal information (e.g. benefits, bank information) and may impersonate you to send malicious e-mail.

Many times you are requested to choose and maintain a password for various purposes (e.g. sign on to a file server, access your e-mail, use a password protected screensaver).

At Azusa Pacific University, these passwords allow access to important University systems (e.g. e-mail, home.apu.edu, AllAccess, PeopleSoft, Enterprise Document Management System, and more).

It's important to choose a strong password and protect it since there are many password-cracking programs readily available on the Internet and passwords are the key to access many computer systems or applications. A strong password makes it reasonably difficult to guess the password in a short period of time either through human guessing or the use of automated password cracking programs.