If you forgot the password you use to sign in to services like Outlook.com, Skype, OneDrive, or Gmail you might need to reset it. Recover and secure account password have to be settled urgently, for your account may be connected to a lot of private and/or financial information you don’t want to lose.
To reset and recover your password:
First, check to make sure that Caps Lock isn’t on, because passwords are case-sensitive. If you’re sure you’re using the right password but still can’t sign in, your account might be compromised.
- Go to the Reset your password page.
- Choose the reason you need your password reset, then click Next.
- Enter the Microsoft account email address you’re trying to recover.
- Enter the characters you see on the screen, then click Next.
- If you have security info on your account, we’ll send a one-time code to the alternate phone number or email address you gave us. After you enter the code on the next screen, you’ll be able to make a new password.
Safe Passwords Setting Tips
Passwords that are difficult to remember will reduce the security of a system because (a) users might need to write down or electronically store the password using an insecure method, (b) users will need frequent password resets and (c) users are more likely to re-use the same password. Similarly, the more stringent requirements for password strength, e.g. “have a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters and digits” or “change it monthly”, the greater the degree to which users will subvert the system.
In “The Memorability and Security of Passwords”, Jeff Yan et al. examines the effect of advice given to users about a good choice of password. They found that passwords based on thinking of a phrase and taking the first letter of each word are just as memorable as naively selected passwords, and just as hard to crack as randomly generated passwords. Combining two unrelated words is another good method. Having a personally designed “Algorithm” for generating obscure passwords is another good method. In the latest improvements, more and more people are noticing change in the way that passwords are secured.
Keeping your account password secure
Users, especially administrators, should keep their accounts secure. If someone accesses your account and causes malicious damage, your reputation could be in trouble! Below are some tips on keeping your account secure:
1.Never give your password to anyone, not even users claiming to be sysop and staff!
2.Only enter your password on a relevant site. Beware of fake sites.
3.Keep your computer up-to-date with the latest anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
4.Your password should be easy to remember, but hard to guess.
5.If you decide to log on using a public computer, remember to log out when done.
6.Be careful when running user scripts. Some scripts can be programmed to steal cookies and thus compromise accounts.
7.Consider committing to your identity by adding a cryptographic hash to your user page to prove that you are really the person behind your username.