2008 Woodie Awards
Password changes to be required every 120 days
Sarah Keller/Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: News
Last week, students were informed by e-mail they needed to change their password and it had to meet certain criteria.
There was a valid reason for these changes. According to Al Appenzeller, director of information services, everyone on Simpson College's network, not just students, were required to change their passwords due to security reasons.
"Passwords should be changed on a regular basis to foil hackers who attempt to gain access to our network through an individual's account," Appenzeller said. "By changing your password on a regular basis, even if a hacker has cracked your password, they now are locked out and have to start all over."
According to Appenzeller, users should change their passwords at least every 120 days. The requirements to change a password that often is typical of many highly-qualified networks.
"Requiring regular password changes discourages users from using the same password for multiple accounts," Appenzeller said. "If you use the same password on multiple accounts once a hacker has your password they now have access to your Simpson account, your bank account, your credit card account, your student loan account, etc."
Many students did not want to change their passwords and memorize a new one as they did not understand the purpose. The question was raised by several students as to why they needed to do this.
Freshmen Katelyn Teachout was one of those students who did not understand the purpose of changing her password.
"I did not want to change my password, due to my short term memory," Teachout said. "My old password was just as good as my new one."
According to Chuck Johnson, academic software specialist, changing one's password is not nearly as difficult as people try to make it out as.
"Creating a complex password that is easily remembered isn't as hard as some people think," Johnson said. "There are several tricks that can be used. Birthdays, family member's names, dates and numbers can be mixed to come up with an easily remembered password."
There was a valid reason for these changes. According to Al Appenzeller, director of information services, everyone on Simpson College's network, not just students, were required to change their passwords due to security reasons.
"Passwords should be changed on a regular basis to foil hackers who attempt to gain access to our network through an individual's account," Appenzeller said. "By changing your password on a regular basis, even if a hacker has cracked your password, they now are locked out and have to start all over."
According to Appenzeller, users should change their passwords at least every 120 days. The requirements to change a password that often is typical of many highly-qualified networks.
"Requiring regular password changes discourages users from using the same password for multiple accounts," Appenzeller said. "If you use the same password on multiple accounts once a hacker has your password they now have access to your Simpson account, your bank account, your credit card account, your student loan account, etc."
Many students did not want to change their passwords and memorize a new one as they did not understand the purpose. The question was raised by several students as to why they needed to do this.
Freshmen Katelyn Teachout was one of those students who did not understand the purpose of changing her password.
"I did not want to change my password, due to my short term memory," Teachout said. "My old password was just as good as my new one."
According to Chuck Johnson, academic software specialist, changing one's password is not nearly as difficult as people try to make it out as.
"Creating a complex password that is easily remembered isn't as hard as some people think," Johnson said. "There are several tricks that can be used. Birthdays, family member's names, dates and numbers can be mixed to come up with an easily remembered password."
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