Change Your Password

Changing your password often is one of the simplest ways to maintain your information's security. Use some of the password tips below when selecting your next password.

Students

Students can change their password using this online form: https://acc.roberts.edu/changepw/

Faculty & Staff

For security purposes faculty and staff must change their password on campus through the "logon" screen of their computer. Use the following steps:

1. Login to your computer
2. Click "CTRL+ALT+DEL" on your computer
3. Click the "Change Password" Button

If you are off campus you can also use Outlook Web Access to change your password by clicking Options in the upper right corner, then clicking Change Password from the menu on the left.

Password Complexity Requirements

Minimum of 8 characters and MUST contain characters from three of the following four categories:

• Uppercase characters (A through Z)
  
• Lowercase characters (a through z)
  
• Numerals (0 through 9)
  
• Non-alphabetic characters (for example, !, $, #, %)
  

Password Tips

• Never Share (sorry Mom!) Sharing passwords is a very common mistake. Most people who "hack" into computers never "crack" the password, they simply ask you or overhear you tell it to someone. Never share your password with anyone.
• Length - Make sure your password is at least 8 characters long. The shorter the password the easier it is to hack.
• Letters, Numbers and Characters - Use a combination of letters, numbers and characters.
• Avoid Family or Common Information - A lot of people use family names and birth dates because they are easy to remember. That information is also easy for someone else to obtain! Avoid using one word that can be found in a dictionary.
• Try First letter of words in a sentence - Creating a memorable password that is secure can be difficult. Try creating a sentence that is easy to remember and then use the first letters in the sentence to create the password. Example: "My marriage to my wife took place on June 1 in the year 2007" would yield the password "Mmtmwtpoj1ity2". Use a sentence that makes sense for you and that is easy to remember.
• Try Letter/Number Substitution - Another common method for creating a memorable password is to come up with a work or phrase that you remember and then substitute other number and letters for the those in the phrase. Use the chart below. Example: "ILoveRoberts" might become "1L0\/3R0b3r7$"
• Now Test It! Microsoft has a password strength tester. Try yours here to see how it checks out: https://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx

Letter Substitution Chart