Your password is the key to your account. Keep your password secret, and change it at least once a year.

Safe Passwords    Change Passwords   

About Passwords

Your password secures your data against intruders and it is your 'secret'. No one is authorised to ask for your password.

• If you think someone else may know your password, change it immediately.
• If anyone asks you to tell them your password please report the incident to ISS.
• If a computer program prompts you for your password, and you are not certain that it legitimately requires it, report this incident to ISS.

Password Expiry

• Password Expiry - for your security, passwords expire 425 days after they are changed. It is important to change your password regularly.

Note: You can only change your password once in any 24 hour period. Attempting to change it within 24 hours of the last change will result in an error message. Howerer, this does not affect forced password changes; for example, when the ISS Service Desk resets your password. In these circumstances, you must change your password as soon as possible after it has been reset by ISS.

Safe Passwords 

Not all passwords are safe. For example, certain well-known, easily guessable passwords are very insecure. Your own name is easily guessable and single 'dictionary' words can be attempted easily by computer programs.

• About Changing Passwords - easy-to-use help in choosing a 'safe' password.

Change Your Password 

• Change password in Windows
• Change Password Online
• Change Password in Unix

Remember - change your password at least once a year and don't forget to update your laptop and mobile password settings when you do so.

Note – in describing how to change your password online, this movie directs you via the A-Z; however, information on changing your password online is available on this page immediately above the Movie.

Situations requiring your Password 

Situations where you should expect to have to input your password include:

• the login page for Windows in PC Labs.
• the login page for Office PCs.
• CTRL-ALT-DEL to unlock a Windows workstation.
• the login page for Exchange (http://exchange.lancs.ac.uk/exchange/).
• the login page for Webmail (http://webmail.lancs.ac.uk/).
• when configuring an IMAP email client to connect to either Exchange (exchange.lancs.ac.uk), or the Unix mail service (mail.lancs.ac.uk).
• when using an SSH, TELNET, or FTP client to log to one of the central Unix systems (cent1.lancs.ac.uk, bromo.lancs.ac.uk, www.lancs.ac.uk).

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