Responsible+Password+Practices


 * A Secure Password is: **


 * More than six characters in length (including one from at least 3 of these groups):
 * Upper case letters
 * Lower case letters
 * Numerals
 * Special characters (period, colon, semi-colon, exclamation point, hyphen or underscore)
 * A combination of letters, numbers and symbols (as allowed), but not:
 * sequential or repeating combinations such as 12345678, 22222222, abcdefgh or adjacent letters on your keyboard.
 * common words with letters replaced by numbers or symbols such as MyL0&1n or P@ssw0rd
 * found in the dictionary
 * Easy for you to type and remember but difficult for others to guess, not:
 * your log in name, your spouse's name, or your birthday
 * words found in the dictionary, in any language. Hackers use sophisticated tools that can rapidly guess passwords based on words in the dictionary, in a variety of languages, and using words spelled backwards.
 * hard-to-remember. Random combinations, numbers and symbols that must be written down to be remembered, can be misplaced or found by others and used.


 * Secure Password Practices include: **
 * If you forget your network, iNotes or Infinite Campus password, contact the tech dept via a work order (IC) or telephone (network/iNotes) 773-8887 to have it reset.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Do NOT share your passwords with anyone (i.e. friends, co-workers, students)
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Change your password regularly, especially if you believe someone has found out your password. It is recommended that passwords be changed:Do Not write your password on a post-it and stick it to your monitor or write it on any part of your computer or desk.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Staff: at least every 6 months
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">HS Students: at least every 6 months
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">MS Students: at least every 12 months
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Elementary Students: only when there is an issue
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">If you write your password down to remember it, describe it rather than record it.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Do NOT leave a computer that is 'logged' in to your account unattended, especially in a public area (classroom, library, lab). Log-out completely if you are leaving for the day or lock the computer if you are stepping away for a moment.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Never re-use passwords
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Never e-mail your password to another user or to yourself.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Don't use the name of the computer or network as your password.


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Managing Passwords: **

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;"> It is inevitable today that everyone has a long list of accounts with usernames and passwords. To manage these passwords, consider using Word or Excel to create a list and then password protecting that document. Or take it to the next step and use Google Docs so you can access the list from anywhere you have an Internet Connection. Below are some advantages and disadvantages to using the solutions recommended here.


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">//Microsoft Word// - create a table that has a column for account name/link, username, password and perhaps even the answers to the secret questions. Word will allow you to house them all in one place in a program you are probably already comfortable with. Password protect the document to ensure the safety of your information. Now you only have 1 password to remember!
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">//Microsoft Excel// - does everything Word does but now you can sort your accounts (by any column header), hide columns and you don't have to deal with as many formatting issues. Again be sure to password protect the document.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">//Google Docs// - can use either a document (like word) or a spreadsheet (like Excel). The added benefit of using these resource is that you can access the list from anywhere. Using Google Docs you don't have to password protect the file just don't share it with anyone (Google docs are by default not shared - you have to indicate who you want to share with in order for anyone else to see.)


 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Tools & Resources: **
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 120%;">Be Password Savvy - How to make harder-to-hack passwords that you can remember


 * // Link Disclaimer: // ** The links in this area will let you leave the Grand Island Central School District site. The appearance of these links does not constitute endorsement by the Grand Island Central School District of the linked web sites, or the information, products or services contained therein. Grand Island Central School District does not exercise any control over the information you may find at these locations. Grand Island Central School District cannot attest to the accuracy or appropriateness of information available at any linked sites. The Grand Island Central School District is not responsible for contents of any linked pages or any link contained in a linked site or any changes or updates to such sites.