We put your privacy and security first and foremost, and we are always looking for ways to improve your security. Strong passwords are an important piece of that puzzle – and a great way that you can help protect yourself online.
Why are strong passwords important?
Simply put, strong passwords are important because they make it more challenging for people or programs to gain access to secure accounts. The more challenging the password, the harder it is for people or programs to figure out.
What are the criteria for strong passwords for SCU online banking?
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Your password must be a minimum of 7 characters, to a maximum of 30 characters
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Your password will require a combination of at least two of the following: uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, or special characters
What are some tips for creating a strong password?
In addition to following the above criteria, you might want to consider some of these key “do’s” and “don’ts” for creating your strong password:
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Do consider using short phrases or partial sentences. Simple words (those that can be found in a dictionary) are easy for programs to crack. Instead, choose short phrases or sentences that offer a higher level of security.
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Do consider replacing letters with special characters. Replacing letters with special characters adds a new level of security to your password. If you are consistent with this method, it might help you remember your strong passwords across multiple sites. (For instance, always replacing the letter “a” with the @ symbol.)
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Don’t re-use passwords! Every site that requires a password should have a unique password (see our tips below on how you can remember all of your passwords).
Here’s an example (don’t use this one though!):
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Step
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Sample
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Start with a simple phrase
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the rain in Spain
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Capitalize each word and remove spaces
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TheRainInSpain
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Change each “a” to @ and each “i” to 1
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TheR@1n1nSp@1n
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How can you remember your password?
Remembering strong passwords can be incredibly difficult, particularly when experts recommend you have a strong, unique password for every login and website. Generally, you have two secure options to store your passwords: pen and paper; and password manager programs.
Storing your passwords using pen and paper can be helpful to manage multiple sites each with a unique password. Of course, you’ll want to be sure these are stored securely, or at least inconspicuously. We don’t recommend you save these passwords on your computer.
There are programs and apps available that can help you generate strong passwords and store them securely for easy retrieval, regardless of platform. Many of these programs will allow you to specify length and rules to generate the perfect, random password for you.
What if you forget your online banking password?
If you need assistance with resetting your password, online banking support is available by calling our member contact centre at 1.800.728.6440. Or, you can stop by our branches during regular business hours and we will be happy to help!
Visit our fraud prevention centre to learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud:
