==== Reset Your Password ====
  * [[https://www.cs.vassar.edu:8009/pwm | Change / Reset linux password (online service).]] **Can only be done from a Vassar network. This web UI will not work from a network (or cell phone carrier) outside of the Vassar College network. **

==== Create a Password ====

Computer Science linux accounts conform to CIS's password policy:
  * [[https://servicedesk.vassar.edu/solutions/504960-best-practice-password-security.portal|Password Information from Vassar College CIS]]


A strong password contains:
  * at least 16 characters
  * a mix of letters, numbers and special characters
  *  mIxED caSE

Creating:
  * http://strongpasswordgenerator.com 
  * //pwgen// on the Linux command line
    * //pwgen 16 1// to create one 16-character password; see //man pwgen// for help

==== Changing Your Password - GUI ====

Login passwords can be changed after you log in using the 

                              Menu --> All -->  About Me 

         This pops up a message box "About [Firstname] [Last Name]".
         Click [Change Password].

          Enter the current password and click [Authenticate] to verify. 
          Enter the new password.
          Retype new password.
          Click [Change password]

Once you are notified that this succeeded, 

          Click [Close] on the "Change password" pop-up box.
          Click [Close] on the "About me" pop-up box. 
          Log out of the system and back in with your new password.


==== Changing Your Password - Command Line ====
Changing your password occasionally is a good practice and is something that is enforced in many environments.  

Two ways to change password:
  * enter //passwd// on the linux cmd line in a terminal window

Note: When you type your characters are not echoed back to the terminal. You will see nothing, not even a cursor. The entire session, if completed successfully, will look as follows:

{{:help:commandline-changepasswd.png?400|}}