The IT Group recommends that students create one strong password to use with all of their KSC accounts: Network/CCA, which is the log in for the main campus network, wireless networks, and public labs; and their MyKSC and Blackboard (Bb) accounts. (A NetID (username) is also required for these accounts.)

Create a new, complex password every semester. Follow these links to change the password for each account: Network/CCA, MyKSC (log in, choose profile in the left-hand navigation bar, choose change password), Bb (log in, choose tools, personal information, change password.)

When using the same password for each account it is VERY IMPORTANT to create a strong, complex password.

Complex Passwords are difficult to guess and are difficult to crack using widely available software. Here are some techniques for building a strong and memorable password.

• Two or three unrelated short words connected with a special character, e.g. Ugly%Duck
• Chose a word and substitute special characters and/or numbers for some letters, e.g. impossible = Im%o$$Ible
• Chose a line from a song or poem and use first letter of each word with some various capitalization pattern, e.g. Yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away = @YaMtSoFa$
• Phonetically spell or misspell two or three words, e.g. Polece$chaZ
• Make your password at least 8 characters in length. Longer passwords are more difficult to hack.
• Don't use any part of your actual name or the user name you use to log in to your account
• Make sure you include different characters when creating a password. Try to fit all four types:
• Lower case a-z
• Upper case A-Z
• Numbers 0-9
• Special characters, e.g. $#@!%^&()+-

Mnemonics
Take a phrase that is easy for you to remember and convert it into characters. It could be the first line of a poem or a song lyric.

• "Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink" (Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner) converts to Wwe&nadtd.
• "We Three Kings from Orient Are" converts to w3KfOr3691.
• (3691 is the year 1963 spelled backward to extend beyond eight characters.)

Other Tips:
Pay attention to general state of your account and/or system. If something has changed or appears different, change your password and investigate the situation.

Your account/password is your responsibility, and any activity performed while you or someone else has logged in with them is considered your responsibility.