TITLE
    Mac OS 9: File Security - Choosing a Good Password
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		60483
9/28/99
10/20/99
TOPIC

    This article explains how to choose a good password for use with file security, a Mac OS feature introduced with Mac OS 9.0

DISCUSSION

    Choosing a good password for your keychain is an important step in keeping the keychain secure. Your keychain password protects all information stored on the keychain.

    IMPORTANT: If your keychain password is discovered, all of your passwords can be discovered. However, personal certificates are still secured by their passwords.

    Keep the following tips in mind when choosing your password:
    • Make your password unique. For example, do not use the same phrases or words you use for your server passwords.
    • Include some numbers in your password, but do not use your banking PIN, address, phone number, or other numbers that can be easily guessed.
    • Don't base your password on personal information, such as your spouse's name, your pet's name, or the city where you live.
    • Don't use single words or phrases that are found in the dictionary.
    • Don't tell anyone your password, and never write it down.
    • Use upper- and lowercase letters and punctuation, but make sure you remember what you choose. You must enter your password and user name exactly as you originally entered them.

    Example of a good password:
    Choose a phrase that's easy for you to remember, and follow the guidelines above to make it into a unique password. For example, the phrase "To be or not to be, that is the question" could be made into the following password: 2BrntB-Titq

Document Information
Product Area: Mac OS System Software
Category: Mac OS 9.0
Sub Category: System Software Components
Keywords: kmos90

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