A password is an unspaced sequence of characters used to determine that a computer user requesting access to a computer system is really that particular user. Typically, in a xoops website registered users are required to submit a username that is known to all users. In order to verify that someone entering that user ID really is that person, a second identification, the password, known only to that person and to the system itself, is entered by the user. A password is typically somewhere between 4 and 16 characters, depending on how your system system is set up. When a password is entered, the login box is careful not to display the characters on the display screen, in case others might see it. Passwords can usually contain alpha-numeric chacters and symbols, but no spaces.

Good criteria when choosing a password or setting up password guidelines include the following:

* Don't pick a password that someone can easily guess if they know who you are (for example, not your Social Security number, birthday, or maiden name)
* Don't pick a word that can be found in the dictionary (since there are programs that can rapidly try every word in the dictionary!)
* Don't pick a word that is currently newsworthy
* Don't pick a password that is similar to your previous password
* Do pick a mixture of letters and at least one number
* Do pick a word that you can easily remember