Password guidance

Setting, securing or resetting your password

If you believe your password has been compromised or you think you have responded to a phishing attempt, change your password.

If you notice any strange activity with your IT account, report it to the IT Service Desk so this can be investigated and resolved.

You can reset your password using one of the methods listed below on this page. 

IT Service Desk

How to reset your password

You will need to be on campus or connected via the VPN to complete the following.

Log onto a University PC connected to the University network using your current username and password.

If it's a Windows Laptop with McAfee, log into McAfee first if prompted (Don't select the Change password option on the McAfee screen), then log into Windows.

  • Once logged in to Windows, press CTRL + ALT + Delete together, which will change the screen and list a number of options
  • Select ‘Change Password’
  • Provide your old University password and then you will need to enter your new password twice
  • Press ‘Enter’ to save the changes

Note: Please try to avoid restarting Windows 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, personal computers or a computer not on the University network

For MacOS and Linux users, please try to 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 computer lab by following the Computer availability link below.

In addition, a very basic password reset tool has been provided called SSRPM. For more information, please see the next tab.

Once your password has been successfully updated, remember to update this on all your other devices, for example your mobile phone.

Computer availability

Self Service Reset Password Management (SSRPM)

This is the University's password and IT account onboarding management system. You must enrol before you can reset your password using this system. If you do not know your password and have not enrolled, please contact IT Services.

Enrol

  • Go to https://passwordreset.lboro.ac.uk/ and select ‘Enroll into SSRPM’
  • You will be required to select 3 questions and provide answers
  • Next, you will need to write 2 questions yourself & provide answers to these
  • You can now reset your password via this system when needed

Resetting your password

  • Go to https://passwordreset.lboro.ac.uk/ and select ‘Reset your password’
  • Enter your University username
  • Answer the questions you are presented with
  • Final, update your password

Note: If you have previously enrolled on the tool but cannot remember your responses you can re-enroll.

SSRPM
Use different passwords for different services

Password requirements

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:

User accounts

  • 8 or more characters in length
  • MUST contain at least three out of the following four:
    • Uppercase letters
    • Lowercase letters
    • Numbers
    • Non-Alphanumeric characters (!"£$%^&*)
  • NOT contain any personal details
  • It must not be a password you have used before

Privileged accounts (e.g. -admin and -svc) 

  • 24 or more characters in length
  • MUST contain ALL of the following four:
    • Uppercase letters
    • Lowercase letters
    • Numbers
    • Non-Alphanumeric characters (!"£$%^&*)

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 Lboro2022*IsGr8 or Sunny(22)Weather.

Device unlocking

For passcodes, PIN codes, or passwords used only to unlock a device (e.g. a smartphone or tablet), ensure one of the following credentials is in place:

  • Biometric
  • Password (6 or more characters in length)
  • PIN (6 or more characters in length)