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in reply to (Guildenstern) REx2: Ethics of Passwords
in thread Ethics of Passwords

Being a member of the Air Force Reserves as well as someone
who actually sits in the Base Network Control Center and
changes passwords for people, I can honestly say that I have
NEVER told anyone to write down their password. However, you
are quite correct as to the requirements for our passwords,
which are minimum 8 characters, using uppercase, lowercase,
special characters, and numbers, and you need to use at least
three of the four categories in your password.

For me to actually change your password, you would have to come
to the NCC in person, and present your identification card. At that
point, I would instruct the person as to what the password policy is,
and let them type in their own new password. Or if the person in question called
and is someone who I know, and recognize their voice, I will change the password,
to a generic one, then force them to change it upon logging into the system.


TStanley

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(Guildenstern) REx4: Ethics of Passwords
by Guildenstern (Deacon) on Aug 15, 2000 at 01:08 UTC
    Which is exactly the way it should be. That's why I was surprised that they suggest we keep track of our passwords on paper somewhere. I mean, a lot of the people working were contractors, but if they can hold a security clearance, surely remembering a password isn't asking too much, is it?