The importance of a strong password

Weak passwords are easily guessed and can lead to serious consequences, such as identity theft, the loss of confidential data, and in some cases compromised systems. See below for some tips on how to create a strong, secure password.

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Download the poster

Download the poster "6 Tips for Secure Passwords" (pictured) and display in a prominent area of your department. See the next section for the full poster text. A French version is also available "Conseils pour mots de passe sûrs".

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6 tips for secure passwords

We all want to protect our information, and that often starts with a secure password. Here are a few tips to keep each of your passwords safe:

1. Make each password long and strong.
   The more characters in your password, the stronger it is.
2. Use multiple words to create a passphrase.
   Examples are "Don't forget to stand" or "stopping-woods-snowy-evening".
3. Create a unique password for each account.
   If you can't remember them all, ask if you can use a password manager.
4. Keep passwords a secret.
   Never share them with anyone, including your supervisor.
5. Never use public computers to log in to your online accounts.
6. Use Two-Factor Authentication whenever possible.
   Set up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on your McGill account.

 

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Tools and resources to help you create strong passwords

• To help you create a strong McGill password for your McGill Username, we have implemented additional security enhancements which detect and prohibits the use of weak passwords.

  • McGill passwords must be between 10 and 18 characters.
  • Your McGill password cannot contain all or part of your name/ McGill username.
  • Do not include spaces, single or double quotes (' or ") in your McGill password.
  • Passwords that are considered weak will be rejected by the system. See the guidelines above for recommendations.

• Learn more in the Passwords episode of our IT Security Awareness Training, available in myCourses

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