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Password Setup and Security Guidelines

New App State faculty, staff and students will use alternate authentication to establish an account password. This requires unique identifiable information that is verified securely.

Alternate authentication requires the following to confirm your identity before the process can be continued:

  • University ID number (Banner ID)

  • Last four digits of Social Security number

  • Date of birth (month, day and year)

Setting and Protecting Your Password

Secure passwords are a critical part of protecting email and confidential information. 

Setting Security Questions

You must fill out four predefined questions and set two user-defined questions.

  • Predefined security questions: the user selects from a list of questions provided by the platform (i.e., "What is your mother's maiden name?").

  • User-defined security questions: the user creates their own question and answer (e.g., "What is the name of my favorite childhood book?").
     

Recommendations for user-defined questions:

  • Avoid Repetition: Do not use answers to these questions in your password.

  • Choose Unique Questions: Select questions that are unique and memorable to you and not easily guessable.

  • Case Insensitive: It does not matter whether you create the password in uppercase or lowercase letters; the system will treat them the same.

    • For example: "Password123" and "password123" will work, but you must remember the correct spelling and order.  

  • Keep Answers Confidential: Do not share your security question answers with anyone. Treat them with the same level of confidentiality as your passwords.

  • Update Questions and Answers: Periodically review and update your security questions and answers to ensure they remain secure.

Password Requirements

An account password must be a 

  • Minimum of twelve (12) characters in length for all users.
  • Maximum length of thirty (30) characters.
  • May not contain the username or any part of the user’s full name.

Must contain characters from at least 3 of the 4 following classes:

  1. UPPERCASE LETTERS
  2. lowercase letters
  3. Numbers
  4. Symbols: ! + - _ * ? % . { } ~

Creating Passwords

  • Choose something memorable to you but hard-to-guess for an attacker.
  • Avoid using your username, legal name, foreign language, slang, jargon and proper names.
  • Steer clear of words/phrases linked to Appalachian State University.

Protecting Your Password

  • Keep passwords confidential.
  • Don't share or write down passwords.
  • Avoid using secure passwords in unprotected communications or for non-university accounts.

Support

Need assistance changing or establishing an account password, contact IT Tech Support Services at 828-262-6266, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.