Setting a Password in Windows 2000
Many viruses infect computers because those computers do not have passwords set to log in, or the passwords are easy to guess.
It is important that you choose a strong password for everything you do on Harvard's network -- for your PIN, your email, and logging into your computer.
When choosing a password, you want to use something that is difficult for others to guess, but one that you can remember without writing down. Good passwords:
- Use numbers, uppercase *and* lower case letters
- Use symbols (like !, ?, and %
- Combine two or more words into a pass "phrase"
- Are at least 15 characters long, if possible
You should avoid using passwords with real words; those are easy for a hacker or virus to guess. Instead, substitute symbols and numbers for letters. For example, the word "college" is a bad password. If you substitute numbers and symbols, "c01!3Ge" is an even better password. Do that with a song lyric or common phrase that's easy for you to remember, and your computer will be secure.
To Set Passwords for Accounts On Your Computer
- From your desktop, right-click on 'My Computer' and select 'Manage.'
- In the Computer Management Window, expand Local Users and Groups by clicking on the + sign next to it in the menu.
- Click on the Users Folder to see a list of users.
- Right-click on the User name and select 'Set Password'.
- Repeat step 4 for each user account on your computer.