Tips for creating a secure password

Your password must meet the following security requirements:

• Minimum of 12 characters (preferably 16 characters or more)
• You may not reuse your last 10 passwords
• At least 1 number, 1 upper case letter, 1 lower case letter, 1 special symbol
• The password may not look like your name, e-mail address or UvAnetID
• You must change your password every year. You will receive reminders in time every year.

The benefits of a strong password

With a strong and unique password, you reduce the risk of criminals stealing your password. Stealing passwords is a common method of launching hacking attacks. Criminals use computers with a lot of computing power to try thousands, if not millions of passwords on an account in no time. Alternatively, they may use a few weak passwords (think: Spring2021! or Amsterdam2021!) to log into a large number of accounts. Once inside, the criminals can for instance impersonate you, disrupt processes, encrypt systems, or steal information.

The more complex and longer your password, the less likely it is that criminals will be able to obtain it.

Regularly update your password

As a precautionary measure, you are obliged to change your password every year, of which you will be reminded. It may also be necessary to change your password more frequently, for example if there are clear indications that your password has been stolen. You may discover this yourself or you are informed of this by the Service Desk ICT Services.

Changing your password

On the ‘changing your UvAnetID password’ page you can find all the information you ned regarding changing your password. Alternatively, you can visit id.uva.nlExternal link and follow the steps presented there.

Extra tips

Want to make sure you have a secure password? Then follow these extra tips:

• Come up with a – for you logical, but for others random – passphrase, or a combination of several unrelated words. How about: Love*Breakfast*With*2*Croissants or Okapi/Risotto/SanDiego/42.
• Use a different password for each account. This will prevent that if criminals find out one password, they can get access to all your other accounts.
• Never share your password(s) with others.

Note that the passwords mentioned are examples - do not copy them word-for-word, but use these tips to create your own strong password.

Tips for remembering passwords

A password manager can help you keep all your passwords safe, without having to remember them yourself. A password manager is a digital safe in which you store all your passwords and for which you only need to remember one strong master password.

Password managers are available as programmes, apps for your tablet or smartphone and web applications. A few good examples are 1password, bitwarden, dashlane and keepass.