Passwords

Passwords

Passwords are one third of your ESF Campus Network 'user account' and are extremely important in maintaining the security of campus network services. The remaining portions of your user account are your Username (or NetID) and Domain.

We recommend that you change your password at least once every 2 to 3 months. In the future, you may be asked to change your password without prior notice.

To change your password in Windows 2000 or XP:

	Start your PC. If the PC is already started it is often less confusing to restart it at this point.
	Sign onto your computer using you ESF Username, Password and the appropriate Domain. Most users are currently in the ESFADMIN Domain. See the box to the right for a list of valid ESF Domains.
	Once your PC has started, and you see your normal desktop, press Ctrl-Alt-Del at the same time.
	Click the "Change Password..." button. Your Username and "Log on to:" Domain should already be filled in. If not, restart this process.
	Type in your current, or “old,” password.
	Type in your new password (meeting the below criteria) and confirm password.
	Reboot and log in again using your new password.

If you do not have Windows 2000 or XP on your PC (or are not a member of an ESF Domain):

Locate your ESF Username and Password.

Go to one of the following locations:

Main floor of Moon library

Baker rooms 143, 149, 156, or 166 (WPE only).

Follow the steps outlined above

You may also call us at X6946, 4853, or 6638 and we will change your password for you.

New Password criteria:

Passwords must be at least 5 characters long.

-AND-

Passwords must contain items from at least 2 of the following 3 categories:

Special character (e.g. #,$,%,^, etc.) Note: please do not use the @ symbol. Using the @ symbol in your password may represent a security risk, under certain circumstances, if you are a user of Internet Explorer.

Capital letter (e.g. A,B,C, D, etc.)

Numeric character (1,2,3,4, etc.)

-AND, REMEMBER-

	The ESF Campus Network Password system remembers the last 5 passwords that you have used and you can not reuse these.
	Your password choice can not include your username in any way. For example, the following username and password combination would not be allowed: Username: Mickeymouse password: Mickeymouse$.
	You can not have a local username that matches the name of the computer. For example, if your computer name on the ESF network is Mickeymouse, you can not have a local user on that machine named Mickeymouse.

Valid Password Examples:

	Abcd1 (Capital letter and a number; at least 5 characters long)
	@pple1 (Special character and a number; at least 5 characters long). Remember, this is a poor password choice if you use Internet Explorer due to the '@' symbol.
	Meli$$a (Capital letter and Special character; at least 5 characters long)

Invalid Password Examples:

	Any variation on 'ESF'
	Your name
	The word 'green'
	A blank password


	Password Safety Never share your password(s) with anyone for any reason. If someone requests your password for any reason, please contact us immediately. Never write down your password and post it in a visible location such as on a sticky-note stuck to your monitor. For your own safety, change your passwords for accessing college resources once every 90 days.


	ESF Campus Network Domains The following are valid options for Domain on the ESF Campus Network. If you are uncertain, please contact CNS for assistance. ACADEMIC ESFADMIN MSL CMWPE STUDENTS