Strong passwords policy requires you to use a new password

Friday, February 1, 2008

Due to a recent policy change at the campus level, your password to certain UCSF computer accounts must meet certain requirements to ensure that it cannot be easily guessed by humans or computers.

These requirements require everyone to select a new password for these accounts within the next several months.

Which computer accounts are affected?

Your UCSF e-mail account.
Your account to log in to computers in the IRC computer lab in Room S-918.

The passwords to the 2 accounts above are synchronized -- when you change one, the other is automatically changed within a few hours.

Which computer accounts are not affected?

All other computer accounts at UCSF are not yet affected by this new requirement.
In particular, your account to log in to computers in the ILC computer labs are not yet affected. These are rooms CL-231, S-165, S-165A, and CC-151.

What are the new password requirements?

Your password:

must have at least 7 characters.
must be changed every 6 months.
must meet several other requirements. See AD Password Protocols for the complete list.

When will I need to change my password?

The timing has been staggered; some will be asked to change this password now, others won't be asked to do so until weeks or months from now.

What do I need to do?

Now: Start thinking about a new password. See How to Choose a Password.
Now (optional but recommended): Visit pwmanage.ucsf.edu to create a profile which can help if you are later locked out of your account. (The pwmanage profile must be set up before your password expires in order for it to be helpful. If you become locked out of your account and you have not yet set up your pwmanage profile, it will not help you -- call 415/514-4100 (Option 2) instead. After you regain access to your account, you should still visit pwmanage to set up your profile.)
Now (optional but recommended): Consider using a password manager if you don't already.
If you are prompted to change your password: Depending on which interface you're using when the prompt appears, you might be prompted for a domain as well as an account. For all students:
domain = campus
account = (your SAA user ID)

When you receive a notice that you must change your password...

Don't ignore it! If you do, you'll be unable to log in to e-mail and unable to log in to certain computers on campus until your access has been restored.

If you are locked out of your account...

Visit pwmanage.ucsf.edu or call 415/514-4100 (Option 2) for help. However, UCSF does not have humans available 24/7 to assist with account lockouts.

More information

To see a list of all computer labs available to PharmD students, visit Computer Labs.