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Password Guidelines
Passwords can be changed as often as you like but no less than twice per year (every 180 days).  When you start your computer, you may be prompted to change your password.  If so, please follow the on-screen prompts and select the "Policy" button to review the guidelines.  

If you are not prompted to change your password,  follow these Instructions to change your Password for Novell, Windows, GroupWise Instant Messenger, and GW email.   Alternatively, some AgProgram GroupWise Instant Messenger, iFolder, and Novell Users can change their network password via the Web.

REMEMBER you password and DO NOT WRITE your password(s) down anywhere!

Below are the password guidelines:
  • Passwords must have a minimum length of 8 characters.
  • Passwords must contain a mix of upper and lower case letters and have at least 1 number.
  • A number can be anywhere in the password (first or last character or anywhere).
  • Special characters can be included in the password. The special characters include: !@#$%^&*_+=?/~`;:,<>|\ [[. 
  • Examples of valid passwords are:
    1. mnPawM0m
    2. TpcN@43a
  • Examples of invalid passwords are:
    1. pass - too short, must be at least 8 characters long
    2. PASSW0RD - needs at least 1 lower case letter
    3. PassWoRD1 - number CANNOT be at the end
  • One good suggestion is to use the first letter of the words of a phrase familiar to you, including punctuation marks and upper/lower letters and the password SHOULD NOT BE:
    1. your username
    2. your employee number
    3. your name
    4. family member names
    5. your mom's maiden name
    6. your nickname
    7. your social security number
    8. your birthday
    9. your license plate number
    10. your pet's name
    11. your address
    12. your phone number
    13. the name of your town or city
    14. the name of your department
    15. street names
    16. makes or models of vehicles
    17. slang words
    18. obscenities
    19. technical terms
    20. school names, school mascots, or school slogans
    21. any information about you that is known or is easy to learn (favorite - food, color, sport, etc.)
    22. any popular acronyms
    23. words that appear in a dictionary
    24. the reverse of any of the above
    25. simple substitutions such as the number “0" for the letter “o”