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2.3: Choosing and Setting Passwords

Your account will be assigned a password initially. You should change this as soon as possible after getting your account set up. On the Unix computers, type yppasswd while on the POBOX.PPPL.GOV server. You will be prompted for your old password and asked to select a new password (which you need to enter twice, to guard against typos---the passwords are not echoed on the screen). This changes your password on all the Unix Cluster computers. VAX cluster computers will inform you during your first login session that your password has expired and prompt you to select a new password from among the choices provided.

Here are some guidelines for choosing a password:

• Passwords must be at least 6 characters long.
• Passwords must be changed at least once a year.
• Passwords should not be a word, username, or personal name.

In addition, the following recommendations will make your password more difficult to guess:

• The longer the better---however, only the first 8 characters count on Unix systems.
• Use the password generator on the VAX. (Type SET PASSWORD/GENERATE=6 on the VAX cluster and keep hitting RET until you see a password you like. Type CTL-z to get out.)
• Mix upper and lower case; include digits or punctuation.

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