Password Construction Guidelines

In order to gain access to TWU data, accounts are required to have a complex password. To meet TWU's complexity requirements, passwords must satisfy the following criteria and contain:

• ​At least one number (Example: 1 2 3)
• At least one uppercase letter (Example: A B C)
• At least one lowercase letter (Example: a b c)
• One of these symbols and no other symbols: ! @ # $ % & _ -
• Between 10 and 30 characters
• Password may not repeat any character more than twice in a row.
• Password may not include TWU username.
• Password may not include first or last name.

To change a TWU Portal password, simply log on to Portal and click "My Settings" and choose "Change My Password."​

Here are some tips for creating a complex password:

• Avoid using names or any word that can be found in a dictionary, in any language. For example, TWomans_123 may meet security standards, but it can be cracked quickly since it is simple in nature and contains a full word found in a dictionary.
• To enhance complexity, think of passphrases that combine letters, numbers, and special characters. To enhance the previous example, a strong passphrase may look something like T3x@$W0m@nsR0ck$! The phrase "Texas Woman's Rocks!" is an easy phrase to remember and is generally easier to remember than random combinations of letters, numbers, and special characters.​
• ​​Use easy letter substitutions (the letter 'e' with '3', 'a' for @, 'o' for zero, and 's' with $, for example) as an effective way to increase passphrase security. Keep your letter substitutions consistent across the passphrase (i.e. change each letter 'a' to @) to make the passphrase composition easier to remember.
• The longer the passphrase, the better. A longer passphrase increases complexity and security.

Notes:

• Please do not use the training example passphrase for any account.
• As a reminder, it is important to have separate passwords for private accounts (i.e. bank accounts, online stores, email, etc.). Do not use one password for every account.
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For additional support, contact the Technology Service Desk at 940-898-3971, servicedesk@twu.edu, techchat.twu.edu, or submit a request through the Technology Service Catalog.