Awareness Campaign - Computer Security 101
Password Security
First, don't use your UM-Flint LAN password or your UMICH (Ann Arbor or Kerberos) password for other accounts. Use different passwords for all your accounts. Password management software like Password Safe™ (http://passwordsafe.sourceforge.net/) stores all your passwords in an encrypted form and makes using multiple passwords and/or completely random passwords more practical.
Never write your password where anyone can read it—including an unencrypted file on your computer. If your laptop were to be stolen or compromised, not only would you lose your passwords, they would be accessible to anyone searching your files.
Question 3. You have a file on your computer that contains all of your passwords. Do you:
| A | Change your mind about using your laptop to store this information and write them on a sticky note instead. | |
| B |  | Install password management software. |
| C | Title your file “Confidential Passwords! Do not read!”. | |
| D | Tell your roommate where to find them in case you forget. |
While it may seem convenient to list passwords on a post-it near your computer monitor, it is also extremely dangerous. Just imagine what would happen if someone else sat down and could easily access your accounts. You could end up being enrolled in courses you didn't want, being dropped from courses you did want, or you may receive a visit from the authorities after someone uses your account for criminal activity! (downloading illegal music/movies/games, sending threatening emails from your account, etc.) Always keep passwords to yourself and in a protected place, like an encrypted file.