Follow these Missouri State Account password complexity requirements, as well as additional password practices, to create a strong password and keep your account secure. Following these password guidelines could be just the precaution that keeps your account or university systems from being compromised.
Never reveal your Missouri State Password to anyone — this includes the Computer Services Help Desk and other IT staff. You will never be asked for your password in any University communications or interactions with University staff. You should only enter your Missouri State Password on official University websites and computer systems.
Missouri State Password Complexity Requirements
Your Missouri State Password must be at least 12 characters in length and will be case sensitive.
Your Missouri State Password CANNOT contain the following:
- Your Account ID
- Your MSU email address
- Your first or last name
- Your birth date
- Your address
- Any other personal information
Do
- The lengthier the password, the more secure it is.
- Create a unique phrase, acronym, or combination of words to make the password easier to remember.
- Use a random combination of characters, consisting of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and keyboard (%,@,#,^) and punctuation symbols (,.?;!).
- Create a password that can be typed quickly to reduce the chances of others peeking over your shoulder.
- Change your password every 30 days or so.
Do Not
- Do not use any personal information, such as your phone number, birthday, the names of spouses, children, significant others, pets, or anything an acquaintance or internet hacker could guess or easily find out.
- Do not use sequential numbers or repeat any character more than once consecutively.
- Do not recycle passwords or simply make minor modifications to an old password by adding, subtracting, or switching characters.
- Do not write down your password. Instead, make a mental note, and log in and log out several times during the first day to adequately memorize your password.
- Do not use common phrases; words circulating in the news; titles of books, movies, poems, or songs; words found in any reference book, including all things foreign; or the like.
To request help related to this article, please see our Service Catalog.