Your username and password combination identifies you for access to U of S computing services and facilities. Your username does not have to be secret, but your password must be secret and known only to you. Choosing a good password, changing it frequently and keeping it secret, ensures that only you have access to your services.
For security reasons, it is essential that you change the password for your account from time-to-time. Passwords can be guessed or deciphered by hackers on the Internet. If someone should discover your password they can access your computer account. This is bad enough, but even worse is the fact that you and you alone are responsible for any activity that originates from your NSID account. Therefore, never write down your password on paper, and never tell anyone else your password.
You are responsible for all uses of your computer account. For more information see the Computer Use Policy.
If you have any questions about passwords, please do not hesitate to contact the ICT Help Desk. NOTE: The ICT Help Desk will only change passwords via in person or telephone.
Create a Good Password
The initial password you were given can be changed at any time. In addition to letters, it is a good idea to use numbers or other non-alphanumeric characters. For more information on creating a good password, read the password guidelines.
Multiple Passwords
Depending upon the number of network services you use, you may have quite a few usernames and passwords. Add to this the fact that some services share similar or identical usernames, and others both usernames and passwords, the necessity for keeping track of your accounts becomes vital.
When you change one password, you may be unknowingly changing the password for another account. Similarly, when you change a password, you may not be changing all passwords used with identical usernames.
If you do not know exactly which password you are changing, you should ask an ICT Help Desk staff member, they will be glad to explain it for you.
Change Your NSID Password
It is recommended that you change your NSID password occasionally.
Changing your NSID password changes your password for access to the following services:
You can change your password in PAWS. To change your NSID password in PAWS, log in to PAWS using your current NSID username and password then select the Password icon in the top right corner.
You can also change your NSID password in My IT Services (MITS). Log in to MITS using your current NSID username and password.
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