Passphrase Resources

• Create Passphrase
• Reset Passphrase
  
• Secure Passphrase

Create a Passphrase

Passphrases must be at least 8 characters long and contain at least three of the following four categories:

• Upper case letter
• Lower case letter
• Numbers
• Special characters (e.g., !, @, #, *, ?)

Passphrases are changed every 90 days.

Create a Strong Passphrase

Every user is responsible for protecting the ECU network. Therefore, a strong passphrase is crucial in this effort. The following is a quick way to make up a unique, secure passphrase.

1. Make up a sentence that has meaning only to you.
2. Take the first letter of each word and make at least one letter upper case, at least one letter lower case, and at least one character should be a number and/or special character.
3. Test your new passphrase for strength at http://www.ecu.edu/cs-itcs/itsecurity/PassPhrase-Test.cfm.
   

Examples (don't use these!)

• Is Econ 220 being offered this semester? (IE2bots?)
• Only three more weeks until vacation time! (O3mwuVt!)

Beware These Pitfalls

Hacker programs crack your passphrase by trying every word in the dictionary and other tricks of the trade. Users should be mindful of the following:

• DO NOT use personal information to create a passphrase.
• DO NOT use easily obtained information such as license plate numbers, telephone numbers, etc.
• DO NOT use any word contained in a dictionary, spelling list or other word list in any language.
• DO NOT use transformations such as reversing the spelling, changing upper case to lower case or using all caps.
• DO NOT write down your passphrase and post it in an easily-guessed location.
  
• DO NOT select a passphrase that is common to everyone (Go@Pirates!).
• DO NOT change your passphrase and then go on vacation; use it immediately several times.
• DO NOT share your passphrase with anyone—EVER.

back to the top

Passphrase Reset

If your passphrase expires, locks or someone knows your passphrase, reset using one of the three options below.

Option 1. Visit the Self-Service PirateID Maintenance System (best option)

Log in, answer the three security questions which allows you to access the passphrase reset option.

This works for the regular 90-day passphrase change or if you get locked out. Click the Pirate ID link on the ECU home page to quickly access the passphrase maintenance page.

Or go to the passphrase maintenance site at http://pirateid.ecu.edu.

Option 2. Visit the Walk-in IT Help Desk

Present a completed Passphrase Reset Authorization Form and a valid photo ID (ECU 1 Card, driver's license or government-issued ID) at either location. For after hours requests, see below.*

Austin Building, Room 103

Health Sciences Building, Room 3330

Service Hours

Option 3. Call the IT Help Desk

Help Desk staff will instruct you on available options for a passphrase reset. The Help Desk can reset a passphrase only if identity of the requester is verified. A faxed or emailed copy of a valid photo ID (ECU 1 Card, driver’s license, or government-issued ID) is required to verify who is making the request.

Users should black out all personal information (including driver's license number, address, phone, DOB, etc before submitting by fax or email to the Help Desk.*

*Please note: Passphrase-reset requests submitted before 12 noon are completed by 5:00p the same day. Requests submitted after 12 noon are completed by 12 noon the following business day.

back to the top

Passphrase Security

• NEVER give your passphrase to anyone. Not even your supervisor can ask you to disclose your passphrase.
• Do not reply to emails requesting your personal information. These emails are fraudulent.
• If you think someone may have obtained your passphrase, change it immediately using the passphrase maintenance site and notify the IT Help Desk at 252.328.9866.
  
• Don't reveal personal information on the phone. Identity thieves are known to ask seemingly innocuous questions that reveal confidential information.
• If an ITCS service technician needs your passphrase, you will be asked to type it in yourself. Ask for identification if you are not sure about the person. Change the passphrase after the technician leaves.
• Never use the "remember this password" feature in your browser when logging in to programs or other ECU systems, such as Blackboard. Others can then log in to the application on your computer using your credentials. Hackers can also find the password file and use it to log on to the ECU network.
• Don't use Password Manager programs that offer to store your password for you.
• Lock your computer whenever you leave it.
• Turn off your office computer each day before leaving.
  

back to the top