Create a Strong Passphrase: Difference between revisions

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== RCS Password to Passphrase New Policy ==
==RCS Passphrase New Policy==
* RCS current password policy: 8 character minimum with at least one lowercase letter, uppercase letter a digit and/or special character.
Your passphrase must contain 12 character passphrase with at least one lowercase letter, uppercase letter and digit.
* RCS update password policy: 12 character passphrase.


== Laptop vs. RCS Passphrase ==
==Laptop vs. RCS Passphrase==


If you have a laptop or home computer, you'll have an admin password for it. This may be different from your RCS Passphrase. Resetting one does not reset the other; you'll have to change both if you want them to be the same.
If you have a laptop or home computer, you'll have an admin password for it. This may be different from your RCS Passphrase. Resetting one does not reset the other; you'll have to change both if you want them to be the same.


== Passphrase Security ==
==Passphrase Security==


You should '''never give out your Passphrase''' to anyone. You should '''never write down your Passphrase'''. You should '''never e-mail your Passphrase''' to yourself for safekeeping. You should only '''memorize it.''' If you forget a Passphrase, a member of the tech department can reset it, but it is not possible for us to look up your Passphrase.
You should '''never give out your Passphrase''' to anyone. You should '''never write down your Passphrase'''. You should '''never e-mail your Passphrase''' to yourself for safekeeping. You should only '''memorize it.''' If you forget a Passphrase, a member of the tech department can reset it, but it is not possible for us to look up your Passphrase.
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If something damaging or inappropriate is done using your account, it will appear as though you committed the action -- whether or not you were in fact involved. The technology department and the school administration will have no choice but to act as if you were the perpetrator. Therefore, you must be extremely diligent in protecting your passwords.
If something damaging or inappropriate is done using your account, it will appear as though you committed the action -- whether or not you were in fact involved. The technology department and the school administration will have no choice but to act as if you were the perpetrator. Therefore, you must be extremely diligent in protecting your passwords.


== RCS Passphrase ==
==RCS Passphrase==


Your RCS account is the username and Passphrase combination you use to log in to any computer on the RCS campus.  This combo will also gain you access to your WiFi, Google Apps (gmail, calendar, etc.), Schoology, printing, and all other Riverdale sites.   
Your RCS account is the username and Passphrase combination you use to log in to any computer on the RCS campus.  This combo will also gain you access to your WiFi, Google Apps (gmail, calendar, etc.), Schoology, printing, and all other Riverdale sites.   


=== Passphrase Expiration Period ===
===Passphrase Expiration Period===


'''Your Passphrase expires 13 months after you set it.''' This allows you to return to campus after summer vacation and use the same Passphrase you had before you left.
'''Your Passphrase expires 13 months after you set it.''' This allows you to return to campus after summer vacation and use the same Passphrase you had before you left.
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'''We strongly recommend that you reset your RCS Passphrase before it expires.'''
'''We strongly recommend that you reset your RCS Passphrase before it expires.'''


=== How do I Know if My Passphrase Expired? ===
===How do I Know if My Passphrase Expired?===


Symptoms of this include:
Symptoms of this include:
* Inability to log into our wireless network
* Inability to log into campus computers
* Inability to log into myRiverdale, Okta, RCS Gmail, or other RCS online resources


== What's a good Passphrase? ==
*Inability to log into our wireless network
*Inability to log into campus computers
*Inability to log into myRiverdale, Okta, RCS Gmail, or other RCS online resources
 
==What's a good Passphrase?==


Contrary to popular belief, '''the complexity of your Passphrase is not its most important feature'''.  
Contrary to popular belief, '''the complexity of your Passphrase is not its most important feature'''.  


Here are the three steps to create a great password:
Here are the three steps to create a great password:
# Make it as long as possible, we recommend more than 15 characters.
# Don't make it a word that you can look up in the dictionary
# Don't use common substitutions
#* Using a word like password ($ for s, 0 for o) to create a password like p@$$w0rd? Bad idea. Way too easy to crack.


== Passphrase Requirements ==
#Make it as long as possible, we recommend more than 15 characters.
#Don't make it a word that you can look up in the dictionary
#Don't use common substitutions
#*Using a word like password ($ for s, 0 for o) to create a password like p@$$w0rd? Bad idea. Way too easy to crack.
 
==Passphrase Requirements==


We strongly encourage you to make a long passphrase that contains multiple words that are meaningful to you with a few digits thrown in.
We strongly encourage you to make a long passphrase that contains multiple words that are meaningful to you with a few digits thrown in.
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The passphrase must:
The passphrase must:


contain 12 or more characters (we recommend longer than the minimum length)
* contain 12 or more characters (we recommend longer than the minimum length)
not contain your first name, last name or username
* not contain your first name, last name or username
be different from a previous passphrase you've used at RCS
* be different from a previous passphrase you've used at RCS
contain at least one lowercase letter, uppercase letter, digit
* contain at least one lowercase letter, uppercase letter, digit


Expired RCS passwords cannot be reset to a previous password... but you can alter a previous one slightly to make a new one! Adding a number or character to the end is an easy way to accomplish this.
Expired RCS passwords cannot be reset to a previous password... but you can alter a previous one slightly to make a new one! Adding a number or character to the end is an easy way to accomplish this.
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'''We recommend you use this site to check your Passphrase complexity before setting it: [http://howsecureismypassword.net/ How secure is my Passphrase?]'''
'''We recommend you use this site to check your Passphrase complexity before setting it: [http://howsecureismypassword.net/ How secure is my Passphrase?]'''


== Setting an RCS Passphrase ==
==Setting an RCS Passphrase==


This is done in myRiverdale. [[Use myRiverdale (aka Okta)?|Click here for full instructions]].
This is done in myRiverdale. [[Use myRiverdale (aka Okta)?|Click here for full instructions]].


== Necessary next steps ==
==Necessary next steps==


Once you change your RCS Passphrase, you'll need to make some other changes to your devices. For each device you might use, here's what you should check and change:
Once you change your RCS Passphrase, you'll need to make some other changes to your devices. For each device you might use, here's what you should check and change:


* WiFi
*WiFi
* Saved credentials for printers on campus. See instructions for changing [https://knowledge.riverdale.edu/index.php?title=Direct_Wireless_Printing/Changing_Password here]
*Saved credentials for printers on campus. See instructions for changing [https://knowledge.riverdale.edu/index.php?title=Direct_Wireless_Printing/Changing_Password here]
* Password in the settings for your mobile device
*Password in the settings for your mobile device
* Passwords saved in web browsers
*Passwords saved in web browsers


= How Can I Get Help? =
=How Can I Get Help?=
Still can't log in? Do any of the following:
Still can't log in? Do any of the following:
* Enter a support ticket @ [https://support.riverdale.edu support.riverdale.edu]
 
* Call x50
*Enter a support ticket @ [https://support.riverdale.edu support.riverdale.edu]
* Visit the Hill System Room (basement of Mow)
*Call x50
* Visit the River Tech Office
*Visit the Hill System Room (basement of Mow)
* Visit the helpdesk on either campus
*Visit the River Tech Office
*Visit the helpdesk on either campus