Information Technology Services Centre
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
GEN006 Recommendation for a Secure Password QUICK START GUIDE
Version 1.6 August 2008

1. Introduction

A secure password can prevent hacker from cracking your account(s). You are suggested to change your password(s) periodically e.g. quarterly. This quick start guide introduces ways for changing passwords on various ITSC computer systems and provides guidelines for choosing secure passwords.

2. Changing ITSC PC Lan Password

You use the computing id and password to signon a PC in the ITSC PC LAN. However, you can only change your password using a PC.

  1. On the ITSC PC LAN main menu, select either 'A. Windows XP' or 'B. Chinese Windows XP';
  2. Login the system using your ITSC PC LAN username and password, e.g.
  3. username : s123456
  4. password : {your password will not be displayed}.
  5. Double click 'Change ITSC PC LAN Password' icon on the Desktop;
  6. Follow the screen instruction and enter the required passwords. System will then prompt you whether your new password has been successfully changed. For security reason, passwords will not be echoed on screen when you enter them;
  7. After making the changes, double click the "Exit" icon on the Desktop.

You are advised to login the system again using the new password for verification.

3. Changing 'iHome', 'Logic' and 'CWEM' Password

You should use the Campus-wide E-mail System (Mailserv) computing id and password to login the following systems:

You can only change your ‘CWEM’ password through the web at http://accounts.itsc.cuhk.edu.hk.

4. Changing ‘Orlon’,‘Orpin’and 'Organon' Passwords

You are recommend to use SSH (https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/itsc/ssh/guide.html) to access the following ITSC computer hosts:

i. Type “passwd“ at system prompt, i.e.
[orlon]% passwd
System will then prompt you
Getting your information from Server, please wait...
....
Old password :
ii. Follow the screen instruction and enter the required passwords. System will then prompt you whether your new password has been successfully changed. For security reason, passwords will not be echoed on screen when you enter them;
iii. After making the changes, type “exit” to quit the system.

You are advised to login the system again using the new password for verification.

5. Requesting Password Reset

If you have forgotten your password(s), you need to contact ITSC to reset it for you. You can go to the Consultant Room (User Area, Pi Ch’iu Building or Wong Foo Yuan Building) during office hours, present your CU Link card to the person on duty and request to reset the password for you. Or you can apply for the service at http://accounts.itsc.cuhk.edu.hk.

6. Rules For Password Assignment

Your password should be assigned with six characters or more. It can be any letter among 'a' to 'z', 'A' to 'Z' and '0' to '9' together with permitted special characters are only accepted on several systems. The special characters permitted to use are,
Computer Systems Permitted Special Characters
'CWEM', ‘Orpin',‘Organon’ and 'Orlon' ! ^ $ ? < > . % + - = & and #

Password will not be accepted if it is same as the computing id number.

6.1 DO…

  1. DO use a password with mixed-case letters. Not just a capitalized word, but throw some uppercase letters in the middle somewhere.
  2. DO use a password with non-alphabetic characters, e.g. digits or special character mentioned above.
  3. DO use a password that is easy to remember, so that you don't have to write it down.
  4. DO use a password that you can type quickly, without having to look at the keyboard. This makes it harder for someone to steal your password by looking over your shoulders.

6.2 DON'T...

  1. DON'T use your login name in any form (as-is, reversed, capitalized, doubled, etc.)
  2. DON'T use your first, middle, or last name in any form. Don't use any nicknames you may have.
  3. DON'T use your spouse's, girlfriend's, boyfriend's or child's name.
  4. DON'T use a word contained in English or foreign language dictionaries, spelling lists, or other lists of words.
  5. DON'T use other information easily obtained about you. This includes license plate numbers, telephone numbers, ID numbers, the brand of your automobile, the name of the street you live on, etc.
  6. DON'T use a password of all digits, or all the same letter.

7. Enquiries

For any enquiries, please contact us by:

Website: http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/itsc
Electronic HelpDesk: https://helpdesk.itsc.cuhk.edu.hk/group/account-help

Fax:    2603-6098
Phone: 2609-8845 (Hotline Services)

Monday - Thursday: (08:45-13:00 14:00-17:30)
Friday: (08:45-13:00 14:00-17:45)
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday: (closed)