Password
Use different passwords for different services.
IT User Account
Your username and password are the key defence to prevent cyber criminals changing your banking details, obtaining financial information, downloading sensitive research data and accessing the large amount of personal data held by the University.
It is essential you follow the advice below and change your password, especially if you think you have responded to a Phishing Attack. It is five steps, or fewer, and depends on the type of computer you use and if you are on campus, using the VPN, or at home.
Protect your personal information by creating strong passwords for your University and personal accounts to keep them secure. For security reasons, we do not recommend writing your password down.
Never reuse your Loughborough email address and password to register for other online services – if any of those other sites are compromised, criminals may then have access to your University IT account.
Remember to ensure the password you choose is complex, difficult to guess, and follows the following rules:
- 8 or more characters in length
- NOT contain any personal details
- It must not be a password you have used before
- MUST contain at least three out of the following four:
- Uppercase letters
- Lowercase letters
- Numbers
- Non-Alphanumeric characters (!"£$%^&*)
For privileged accounts (e.g. -admin and -svc) they must adhere to the following rules:
- 24 or more characters in length
- MUST contain ALL of the following four:
- Uppercase letters
- Lowercase letters
- Numbers
- Non-Alphanumeric characters (!"£$%^&*)
For passcodes, PIN codes, or passwords used only to unlock a device (e.g. a smartphone or tablet), ensure the following requirements are met:
- 6 or more characters in length.
Recommendations:
- Avoid common words and number combinations (e.g. "password"; "1234")
- Replace characters with similar characters (e.g. o and 0; 5 and S)
- Make passwords easy to remember by using the following:
- Create an acronym
- Use a memorable phrase
- Use multiple common but unrelated words
You may want to create a phrase of multiple words, for example:
ILove1980s!Music or Lboro2018*IsGr8 or Sunny(18)Weather
Report it – if you feel your password might have been compromised or you notice any strange activity with your IT account, report it at it.services@lboro.ac.uk so this can be investigated and resolved.
|
If you use: |
How to change password |
|---|---|
|
A Windows 10 University-managed computer, on campus, or via the VPN |
Note: Please try to avoid restarting Windows 10 encrypted laptops for approximately 90 minutes following a password reset. If you do restart earlier, you may need to input your original password at the McAfee Encryption log on screen if your new password fails. You will then be presented with the Windows logon where you can use your new password. Once your password has successfully been updated, remember to update this on all your other devices, for example, your mobile phone. |
|
MacOS, Linux, a personal computer or device or a computer not on the University network: |
For MacOS and Linux users, please try and find a Windows computer on the University network and follow the instructions above. If you are struggling to find a Windows computer you can find your nearest available lab here: PC Availability In addition very basic a password reset tool has been provided at https://passwordreset.lboro.ac.uk/
If you have previously enrolled on the tool but cannot remember your responses you can re-enroll. Once your password has successfully been updated, remember to update this on all your other devices, for example your mobile phone. |