Zentraler Informatikdienst

Tips regarding the password

On this page and in the video, you will learn how to create a secure u:account and Wi-Fi password and how to protect it. You can test your knowledge of password security with the quiz.

Info video: Password security

Duration: 07:32 minutes

Content: Creating a secure password | Using a password manager | Multi-factor authentication

You can activate English subtitles via the subtitles button in the video controls.

Password quiz

Test your knowledge about password security with a short quiz (7 questions, duration: approx. 5 minutes):

Start the password quiz

Creating a password

Requirements:

  • You should not use the same password you use for another service.
  • The password should not be identical to your u:account UserID.
  • The new password should not be identical to your previous password.
  • The u:account password and the Wi-Fi password should not be identical.

A password has to consist of the following elements:

  • At least 12 characters
  • At least 1 upper-case letter (A–Z)
  • At least 1 lower-case letter (a–z)
  • At least 1 digit (0–9) or 1 special character (!"$&/()=?+*_.,;^|[]-)

What is a secure password?

A secure password

  • is only known by you and the system you are using it for,
  • is a series of characters as random as possible,
  • cannot be deduced from your personal details and
  • does not contain complete words.

Please also note the password terms of use to choose a secure password.

Passphrase

Passphrases are supported, but must consist of (at least four) randomly selected long words. They must not contain any well-known quotations, idioms, proverbs, titles or easily guessable combinations of words.

For example,

  • Strong passphrase: “Elderberry_Relief_Jerky_Walking_Codeword”
  • Weak passphrase: “Sun.Moon.and.Stars”

(It is generally recommended that you do not use any such example passphrases).

Use a password manager to generate a secure passphrase.

Protecting your password

Change your password immediately, if

  • you have lost your device (computer, smartphone) or if it was stolen,
  • your computer detected a virus and the virus was removed, or
  • you know or assume that somebody else knows your password.

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