DoIT reminds computer users to change passwords

Computer hackers prey on weak or easy passwords. Once they acquire your password, they can masquerade as you, getting access to files, e-mail, research, finances, personal information and more. Passwords are the first line of defense in information security and what stand between the hacker and your information. Having a complex password helps ensure that your data and information remain your own.

When UW–Madison adopted a new password policy in February 2006, campus users were asked to change their NetIDs and other passwords to comply with the new standards. The Office of Campus Information Security (OCIS) distributed a series of articles, e-mails and other communications during the last nine months notifying users how to modify their passwords. As a result, more than 20,000 NetID passwords have been changed and strengthened to date.

At the end of January, OCIS will send a second round of digitally signed mass e-mails to users with “weak” NetID passwords (i.e., those that still do not meet the minimum standards), reminding them again to change their passwords. A third and final round of e-mails will be sent in late February.

Passwords that do not meet the standards by March will be automatically changed by OCIS, and users will not be able to use their NetIDs and the campus resources they protect until they have called the DoIT Help Desk to have them reset. OCIS strongly encourages users to make the change now, before they lose access to campus resources and must go through the inconvenience of resetting their passwords in the middle of the semester.

To reset your NetID password, go to NetID Account modification. To learn more about password management, visit the DoIT Password page.