The Importance of Passwords

University of Wisconsin Madison

Computer Systems Lab CS1000

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The Importance of Passwords

   

It is very important that you choose a password that is hard to guess and that you keep this password a secret. Your password is the key to your account, and anyone who knows it has complete access to all of your files. Under absolutely no circumstances should it ever become necessary for you to tell anyone your password, nor for you to know someone else's. In fact, use of someone else's login and password may result in loss of computing privileges for both of you. If you are working on a project with a partner, then your instructor will explain to you how to use group access rights to share files. If you ever suspect that someone else has used or is using your account, you should notify the CSL (Computer Systems Lab) immediately. This is very important because the intruder could use up your printer paper or worse yet, steal your programs and turn them in with his or her name on them. If this happens and you are caught, the instructor is likely to hold both of the involved parties accountable for the plagiarism, as it may not be clear who stole what from whom.

Tips on Choosing a Password

There is more information about how to choose a quality password available in the CSL web pages.



Caitlin Howell
Fri Nov 15 14:26:49 CST 1996