As you may have
noticed, the Password Change Channel has a new look. The new channel was
designed to accommodate the new password policy. We've received several calls
recently about problems with the new channel and I hope to answer those
questions in this post.
New Password Policy
As noted in the
channel, Arkansas Tech University has adopted a new Password Security Policy. A
copy of this policy can be found at http://www.atu.edu/cservices/plc-pwd.shtml.
Here's the short version:
- Passwords must be changed every 120 days
- Passwords must be at least 8 characters long
- Passwords must contain three of the four following types of characters:
- Lowercase
- Uppercase
- Digit
- Special Character
- INB users cannot use the following special characters:
- @ $ & ( ) , < > ` ; = # | % spaces
- Passwords cannot be re-used until three other passwords have been used.
Users can use no more than two consecutive characters found in their username and/or full name.
Example: a user with a name of John Doe (jdoe10) cannot use a password that contains any of the following combination of letters: 'joh', 'ohn', 'doe', 'jdo', 'oe1', 'e10'.
The hardest part of changing your password is creating a new password. Check out this information about creating strong passwords (http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/create.mspx).
Finding the Password Change Channel
Fortunately, changing your password is easy. First, lets make sure you have the Password Change Channel.
If you haven't deleted the channel, it should be located somewhere on your Welcome tab. If you have deleted it, simply add it back to your layout. Click on the 'Content/Layout' link in the top left corner; click 'Add Channel' somewhere in your layout; In the category drop down, select Applications and click Go; Select 'Change Password' in the list on the right side and click 'Add Channel'; Click 'Back to Welcome Tab' to return you to your Welcome Tab.
Changing Your Password
Now that you've
found the channel, lets change your password.
Your OneTech ID will be automatically inputted into the form for better security so the first thing you have to do is input your current password into the 'Old Password' field. Then type your new password into the 'New Password' field. You will notice that the strength meter will indicate the security level of your new password. Once your password meets the minimum requirements, the 'Change Password' button below will be available. Repeat your new password in the 'Confirm Password' field. Then click the 'Change Password' Button.
A Successful Change
Once you've
submitted the form, you should get a message that says your password has been
changed. You should then return to OneTech and log out, and then log back in to
verify your password is working correctly.
A Failed Change
If you get an error
like the one above, simply follow the directions given in the error. If it says
that the username or password are incorrect, your username was automatically
inputted into the form so it is likely that you mistyped your password. If you
get the error listed above, either your password doesn't meet the complexity
requirements or your password has already been changed today. You can only
change your password once in a 24 hour period. Try changing your password again
after 24 hours.
Your Next Login
If your password has been changed, you will see a dialog box the next time you log into OneTech that indicates your password has actually been changed. You have two options here: 1) enter your old password and click 'Submit' or 2) click 'Start Recovery Session' if you do not know your old password. It is highly recommended that you enter your old password when prompted. Only use the 'Start Recovery Session' button when you don't know your old password.
If you have any questions about changing your password or how to use the password change channel, please contact the Campus Support Center at 479.968.0646 or tech.support@atu.edu.
Speaking of Change...Who watched the inauguration today?
