Beginning today, April 14th, OHS students will have to change their passwords for their school Google accounts – here’s what you need to know.
Password change will happen over two days
Upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) will update their passwords today, April 14th, while underclassmen (freshmen and sophomores) will change their passwords tomorrow, April 15th. The gradual introduction of new passwords is meant to allow the Orono Technology department greater availability to help students struggling with the change.
Students will be prompted during login
On their assigned day, students will be met with a notice to update their password when they attempt to sign in to Google or ClassLink. Students should then proceed to input their new preferred password, following the requirements listed below.
Password requirements
Your new password is subject to a few requirements. It must be different from your current school password, be at least 10 characters long, and include 3 of the 4 following types of characters: lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters (e.g., !, $,*).
Tips for a strong password
In order to create a strong Google password, there are certain things you should and should not do. Google recommends that you do not include any personal information, such as a birth date or a pet name. You should not include successive letters (ABC) or numbers (123) in your password, as well.
You also should not make your Google password the same password you use for other accounts to ensure that if one account is compromised, the others do not become compromised.
Microsoft suggests that passwords should contain a variety of uppercase and lowercase letters, special characters, and numbers. Passwords should also be memorable and unique to you to lower the chances of a potential hacker stealing your password.
Why this is happening
The password change is meant to safeguard students' online info while teaching them how to create strong passwords, according to an email from Orono IT Specialist Joshua Header.
What to do if you need help
If you are struggling setting up your new password, there will be members of the Orono Technology team in the hallways to assist you. You can also email [email protected] or fill out this form for help.
