Kansas State University

search

IT News

Tag: passwords

Top 3 password tips before the Feb. 13 password deadline

Posted on by Betsy Edwards

The eID password-change deadline is Feb. 13, only two weeks away. Here are the top three password tips that K-Staters should know.

1. K-State will never ask for your eID password via email. But email phishing scams abound, and hackers use many ways to trick people into disclosing their  eID password.  Any email that asks for a password — or points to a webpage that asks for a password — is a phishing scam and should be deleted immediately.  Continue reading “Top 3 password tips before the Feb. 13 password deadline” →

Password managers can help remember all your passwords

Posted on by Betsy Edwards

A recent post on the K-State IT Help Desk’s Facebook page noted that a “password manager” can help store and access multiple passwords. According to Wikipedia, “A password manager is software that helps a user organize passwords and PIN codes.”

Can’t remember all your passwords? Us either.  A password manager might help:

For more IT news, tips, and events, read the IT News blog at blogs.k-state.edu/it-news.

Warning: Increase in phishing scam emails trying to steal K-State eID passwords

Posted on by IT editors

Attention, K-State faculty, staff and students,

Since the start of the fall 2012 semester, K-State has seen a significant increase in the number of phishing scam emails that are trying to steal eID passwords. Thus far, at least 75 K-Staters have been tricked into providing their eID and password to criminals under the guise of needing to upgrade their webmail account or exceeding the mailbox storage limit.

THESE ARE ALL SCAMS. K-State IT support staff will NEVER ask for your password in an email. Do not under any circumstances reply to these scam emails or click on a link in the email and fill out a form with your eID and password.  Continue reading “Warning: Increase in phishing scam emails trying to steal K-State eID passwords” →

Missed the eID password-change deadline?

Posted on by Amanda Tross

The mandatory spring eID password-change deadline was yesterday, Feb. 8. If you did not change your eID password, you will NOT be able to connect wirelessly to the Internet on campus, sign into your K-State email, iSIS, K-State Online, HRIS, and more.

If you miss the deadline and have previously set an alternate email address with security question-and-answer in the Password reset options section in eProfile (eid.k-state.edu), then you can reset your eID password online.

  1. Go to eProfile (eid.k-state.edu).
  2. Click the Forgot your eID password? link and then enter your eID.
  3. An email will be sent to your alternate email address.
  4. From that email, click the password-reset link and then answer your password-reset question.

If you did not set an alternate email address with security question-and-answer, you will need to contact the IT Help Desk. You can change your password over the phone or in person at the IT Help Desk, 214 Hale Library on the Manhattan campus, or at the ID Center, 103 TAC Building on the Salina campus. You will need to provide proof of your identity.

Immediately after changing your password, update the password settings with your new eID password in all your computers, devices, and applications, or else risk getting locked out of K-State wireless or email. This includes:

If you get locked out, you may get an “HTTP 400” error when trying to access K-State Zimbra webmail or not be able to connect to the Internet using wireless on campus. If this happens, update your eID password in your devices and, if you still can’t connect, contact the IT Help Desk.

Today, Feb. 8, is the deadline to change your eID password

Posted on by Amanda Tross

All eIDs, including individual and group, must be changed by midnight tonight, Feb. 8. To change your password go to eProfile (eid.k-state.edu), sign in with your eID and current password, then click “Change your eID password” and follow the steps.

Don’t risk getting locked out of K-State wireless or email. Once you have changed to a new password, immediately update the eID password settings in all your computers, devices, and applications. This includes:

If you get locked out, you may get an “HTTP 400” error when trying to access K-State Zimbra webmail or may not be able to connect to the Internet using wireless on campus. If this happens, update your password in your devices and, if you still can’t connect, contact the IT Help Desk.

eID passwords must be changed by Wednesday, Feb. 8

Posted on by Amanda Tross

All K-State eID passwords, including individual and group, must be changed by Wednesday, Feb. 8. To change your password go to eProfile (eid.k-state.edu), sign in with your eID and current password, then click “Change your eID password” and follow the steps.

Don’t risk getting locked out of K-State wireless or email. Once you have changed to a new password, immediately update the eID password settings in all your computers, devices, and applications. Continue reading “eID passwords must be changed by Wednesday, Feb. 8” →

IT solutions: eIDs and passwords

Posted on by IT Help Desk

(This “IT solutions” series started Jan. 30 to address the latest questions heard at the IT Help Desk, where consultants provide quick answers to the most current technology issues. Their goal is to provide impeccable customer service to the K-State community.)

Have you ever wondered if you’re the only person on campus with a particular computer problem? Got a quick technology question and don’t know who to contact?  Perplexed, confused, or frustrated by IT?  Rest assured. You are not alone. Contact the IT Help Desk at 785-532-7722 or e-mail helpdesk@k-state.edu.

It’s that time of year again — the dreaded eID password-change period. Common questions such as “What’s the deadline for the spring semester?” (Wednesday, Feb. 8, only a week away) and “What’s the minimum character requirement?” (10) are addressed at Frequently asked questions about eIDs and Frequently asked questions about eID passwords.

Continue reading “IT solutions: eIDs and passwords” →

Next eID password-change timeframe runs Jan. 1-Feb. 8, 2012

Posted on by Betsy Edwards

Jan. 1-Feb. 8 is the timeframe for changing K-State eID passwords for the Spring 2012 semester. This mandatory password change occurs each fall and spring, and applies to both individual eIDs and group eIDs.

K-State will never send email to ask for your eID password. Any such email is a phishing scam and should be deleted immediately.

  • To change your password:  Use the Sign in to K-State webpage, sign in with your eID and current password, then click “Change your eID password” and follow the steps.
  • Forgot your password? Call the IT Help Desk at 785-532-7722 (800-865-6143 toll-free) and verify your identity. Staff can set a temporary password for you to sign in.

Timesaver tip BEFORE you forget your password: Set up an alternate email address and a security question-and-answer on your eProfile.  If you forget your eID password, you can easily recover.

  1. Go to the eProfile password reset website and enter your eID.
  2. Then sign in to your alternate email account, and find the automated email from K-State that contains a password-reset link.
  3. Click the password-reset link and answer your security question.  Then you can reset your eID password all on your own.

Prior to the password deadline, K-State sends email reminders to K-Staters with unchanged passwords. After Feb. 8, those with unchanged passwords will lose access to K-State webmail, the iSIS student information system, K-State Online, free laser printing, university computing labs, and other resources.

Why are periodic password changes required?  Because long-term use of the same password is a major security risk. For more password details, including how to choose a good one, read the Frequently asked questions about eID passwords.

eID password changes increase as Sept. 14 deadline nears

Posted on by Betsy Edwards

With the Wednesday, Sept. 14, eID password deadline a little more than a week away, email reminders were sent Thursday, Sept. 1, to all K-State eIDs with unchanged passwords.

K-State employees are ahead of K-State students on making their password changes.  As of Friday morning, Sept. 2, about 2,851 (46.9%) of current employees have changed their password.  About 10,368 (39.6%) of current students have changed their eID password.

Password statistics from Andy Wiens, in the Office of Mediated Education, also show how many K-State eID passwords haven’t been changed as of Sept. 2:

  • eIDs required to change password: 44,890
  • eIDs that have NOT changed password: 29,069
  • eIDs that have changed password: 15,821
  • Current students: 26,171
  • Current students that have NOT changed password: 15,803
  • Current employees: 6,076
  • Current employees that have NOT changed password: 3,225

The above eID statistics include many eIDs for people, groups, or systems that are not students or employees, Wiens explained, and he noted that the “current student” subset of eIDs overlaps with the “current employee” subset.

Key tips about passwords

1. Email phishing scams abound, as hackers try to trick users into divulging their eID password.  K-State will never ask for your eID password via email. Any email that asks for a password — or points to a webpage that asks for a password — is a phishing scam and should be deleted immediately.

2. Users of the new KSU Wireless network (which has WPA2 security) will need to also update their wireless password after they’ve successfully changed their eID password.

3. It’s easy to change your password online or by contacting the IT Help Desk.

  • To change your password:  Use the Sign in to K-State webpage, sign in with your eID and current password, then click “Change your eID password” and follow the steps. (Tips on choosing a good password are in the Frequently asked questions about eID passwords.)
  • Forgot your password? Call the IT Help Desk, 785-532-7722, and verify your identity. Staff can set a temporary password for you to sign in.

4. After Sept. 14, eIDs with unchanged passwords will lose access to K-State webmail, the iSIS student information system, K-State Online, free laser printing, university computing labs, and other resources.

eID password-change timeframe is Aug. 1-Sept. 14

Posted on by Betsy Edwards

Aug. 1-Sept. 14 is the timeframe for changing K-State eID passwords for the Fall 2011 semester. This mandatory password change occurs each fall and spring, and applies to both individual eIDs and group eIDs.

Note that K-State will never ask for your eID password via email. Any message that asks for your password is a phishing scam and should be deleted immediately.

  • To change your password:  Use the Sign in to K-State webpage, sign in with your eID and current password, then click “Change your eID password” and follow the steps.
  • Forgot your password? Call the IT Help Desk, 785-532-7722, and verify your identity. Staff can set a temporary password for you to sign in.

Email reminders are typically sent to K-Staters with unchanged passwords prior to the password deadline. After Sept. 14, those with unchanged passwords will lose access to K-State webmail, the iSIS student information system, K-State Online, free laser printing, university computing labs, and other resources.

Every K-State eID password must be changed, as long-term use of the same password is a known risk factor. For more password details, including how to choose a good one, read the Frequently asked questions about eID passwords.