FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - CHANGING PASSWORDS

MAIN CATEGORIES

1. How can I change my password?

2. Important points in time to note

3. Scope this incident

4. Staff who are not aware of the need to change passwords before the deadline

5. Difficulties in changing password

6. Passwords - points to note

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1. How can I change my password?

You have the option of changing your password through 3 different methods, via:

a. Webmail <http:/webmail.unimelb.edu.au>
This is the preferred method for changing your password. Once you have logged into Webmail, click on Options - Change Password and follow the prompts

b. Eudora
From the Eudora Tool Bar, click on Special - Change Password and follow the prompts

c. Accounts Registration Page <http://accounts.unimelb.edu.au/>
Once you have logged in, select the radio button for Mail and then click on the Reset button and follow the prompts

NOTE: If the University does not pay your salary then you will not have a pin to reset your password via the Accounts Registration Page, therefore you will need to send a Fax to the IT Operations department in order for them to reset your password.

Please send a fax to IT Operations at 834 49738, requesting them to reset the password, listing the following:
- Name
- Staff number
- Contact number
- State that you would like your email password to be reset
- The new password
- Sign the fax

If you need assistance or clarification, please contact your LITE in the first instance or call the IT Service Desk on ext 40888.

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2. Important points in time to note

Q: When is the deadline to change passwords? What will happen if a password is not changed by then?
A: The deadline to change password is noon 21 Jul 2005. If a password is not changed by then, the account will be disabled. No emails or personal files on the server will be lost. The password must be changed to re-activate the account.

Q: If I changed my password before a certain time, would I have to change it again before noon 21 Jul 2005?
A: Passwords changed before noon on Thu 14 Jul 2005 must be changed again before noon 21 Jul 2005. Please do not reuse current or previous passwords.

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3. Scope of this incident

Q: Which users need to change their passwords?
A: All staff who have Active Directory accounts on the "unimelb" domain need to change their passwords. If you are not sure, please consult your LITE or the Information Division's Service Desk at 8344 0888

Q: What other information besides usernames and passwords are affected this incident?
A: The only personal information that was held on the affected server was usernames and passwords. The function of that server was an authentication server.

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4. Staff who are not aware of the need to change passwords before the deadline

Q: How are staff who are not aware of the need to change passwords going to be affected?
A: These staff accounts will be disabled. No emails or personal files on the server will be lost. The password must be changed to re-activate the account.

Q: What will happen to my email if I have not reset my email password by 12 noon on Thursday 21st July 2005 and my account is disabled but I am still logged in to either Eudora or Webmail?
A: You will still be able to use your email, but after you log out, subsequent log in attempts will be unsuccessful until you change your password.

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5. Difficulties in changing password

Reasons:

Q: Unable to access <http://accounts.unimelb.edu.au/>
A: The servers that provide the service to change passwords are receiving many requests, and therefore may be unresponsive. Thank you for your patience. Perhaps you can use another means of changing your password, please see the answers to "How do I change my password?" above.

Q: My personal information required to change my password has been forgotten/misplaced/is not available. What should I do?
A1: If you remember your current password, you can change your password using Webmail or Eudora (Please see the answers to "How do I change my password?" above).
A2: You can approach HR to verify your details that have to be used to change your password at the Accounts page. (Please see the answers to "How do I change my password?" above).

Q: I am unable to login after changing password using Eudora
A1: Before changing your password in Eudora, click on:
Tools - Options - Checking Mail
then make sure there is no tick next to - Save Password
A2: The first character of the password should not be a symbol, for example:
# @ % !

Q: What means to change my password is available from outside the University?
A: You can change your password using any of the three methods described in the first category of this document "How do I change my password?" above.

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6. Passwords - points to note

Q: Should my email password be the same as other passwords used in the University?
A: As best practise, your new email password should be different from your Themis, Merlin, Genesys and Forte passwords.

Q: When I login in to the network in the morning I am still getting a notice to change my email password even though I have changed my password?
A: This is a standard message which has been setup and will continue to appear until Thursday 21 July2005 as a “reminder” for staff to change their password.