Set Up PasswordVault

PasswordVault and PasswordVault2Go are very user-friendly programs. If you have any questions about buttons or fields in either program, hover your mouse pointer over it and an explanation will appear in the lower left-hand corner of the PasswordVault window.

Set a master password

The first time you run PasswordVault or PasswordVault2Go, you will be required to set a master password. With PasswordVault, the master password is the only password you need to remember, so it needs to be secure. Use something you will remember—if you don't remember your password and can't answer your master password recovery questions, there is no way to retrieve your passwords!

Here are some good password guidelines:

• Longer passwords are more secure--passwords that are at least 8-16 characters are usually more secure.
• Choose three types of characters--use capital and lowercase letters, numbers, and other characters (e.g., K1ttyc@t).
• Don't use whole English words as they can usually be found in password crackers' list of default passwords. Use partial words, misspelled words, or use words mixed with numbers or characters (e.g., serprize, gr33n).
• Never use personal information like your NetID, your name, a family member's name, pet's name, street address, your birthdate, Social Security number, or part of your phone number--these are too easy to guess.
• If you're having a difficult time thinking of a password, try using an acronym or removing vowels from a phrase. (e.g., stkndptts - steak and potatoes; aditloap - a day in the life of a professor).
• Never use any password you've seen listed on a web page, including good password guidelines.

Set master password recovery questions

PasswordVault has a recovery system in case you forget your master password. After you establish your password, set your master password recovery questions and answers in the blanks below the password.

When setting your questions and answers, try to use personalized clues that would be easy for you to answer, but difficult for anyone else. Remember that your master password and clues protect all of your University passwords. Keep them safe. "My mom's name" is not a good clue because the answer is available in public records. You can set several clues, but you have to be able to answer all of your clues to retrieve or reset your password.

Add/edit new services

To add your passwords to PasswordVault, click the green plus sign and enter all the information for the password you wish to enter. If you wish to change a password after you've added it, click the button with the orange star.

To retrieve a password you've stored, select the password you'd like to see from the list of your passwords and click the magnifying-glass icon. You can also copy your user name with the human-shaped icon above "Username", or copy your password with the lens-shaped icon next to the human icon.

PasswordVault also provides a random password generator, but you must remember to change your password in the service (like CITES Express Email or Kerberos), not just in PasswordVault.

If you decide that want to use PasswordVault on your main computer and PasswordVault2Go on your portable media drive, it might be helpful to synchronize the two programs. For more information, visit the Web pages with instructions on installing PasswordVault on your computer or portable media drive and synchronizing PasswordVault.

Remember, if you have questions, you can always hover your mouse over the field or button, and instructions will appear in the lower left-hand corner. PasswordVault and PasswordVault2Go are also supported by the CITES Help Desk (244-7000).