User accounts and passwords help ensure that only authorized people can access information, data and software stored on your computer. Creating a strong password and keeping it secure is your primary method to prevent someone from using your computer and account for unauthorized activities and for protecting your data and yourself. ICT strives to ensure password security for University accounts and systems.

Recommendation

ICT recommends that you take the following steps to help protect your accounts and passwords:

• Select a strong password but make it something you can remember.
• Keep your password a secret.
• Change your password regularly.
• Instead of writing down your password, write down a hint to help you remember it; store your hint in a secure place.

University-assigned Accounts

An NSID username and temporary password are created for you when you become eligible for University IT services (i.e. become a student or an employee). You are required to change your password for your NSID account. This account provides you with access to a variety of IT services (PAWS, e-mail, file storage, etc).

ICT recommends that you change your NSID password every six months; this is to reduce the possibility that someone will discover your password and use your account without your knowledge. When you log in to change your NSID password, review the rules to ensure it will comply with the security restrictions.

Please Note:

• Some University IT services do not use the NSID account for access. Service providers for non-NSID accounts will provide directions for the use of the account and password rules for that service.
• If you are responsible for your own computer administration at the U of S, see the information below for personal/home computer accounts.

Personal/Home Computer Accounts

Operating systems allow multiple user accounts on their systems. Each person using the computer should have their own account complete with settings, privileges and passwords that are specific to them. Accounts can either be administrator accounts or accounts with limited permissions.

ICT recommends that on your personal/home computer you:

• Create and use a user account with limited permissions for your day-to-day computing activities.
• Restrict use of the administrator account for managing the computer system (e.g. managing system configuration settings, installing software, etc.).
• Do not use your NSID username and password.

The following instructions will help you set up your computer accounts.

• Create Windows Administrator & User Accounts
• Create Macintosh Administrator & User Accounts
• Create Red Hat Linux Administrator & User Accounts

The administrator account has ability to set permissions, create and delete other user accounts, view and alter the contents and settings of all other accounts, restrict access to specified tasks, and change all system-wide settings. It is extremely important to select a strong password for your administrator account.

ICT recommends that you follow the password guidelines when choosing your password for all your personal accounts.

Assistance

For assistance with your NSID username and password or with your operating system accounts, consult with your local IT support personnel or contact the ICT Help Desk.