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NetID & Passwords FAQs

Your NYU NetID
Changing Your Password
Problems with Your Password

Your NYU NetID

What is a NetID?

All NYU faculty and staff members, as well as students enrolled in degree or diploma programs, are provided with an NYU NetID (Network IDentification). Your NetID is a combination of your initials and a few random numbers, e.g., aqe123, and is usually printed on the back of your NYUCard. It is different from your University ID, which is also printed on your NYUCard, but is a longer string of numbers and starts with an "N". Once activated (see below), your NetID is your key to many NYU online resources, including, for eligible community members, NYUHome. Your NetID is also used to create your default NYU email address (e.g., aqe123@nyu.edu).

How do I activate my NYU NetID?

You can activate your NetID at any time, from any Internet-connected computer, using the ITS Start page (http://start.nyu.edu/). If you know your NetID (it is usually printed on the back of your NYU ID Card), enter it in the appropriate field and click "Start!"; if not, follow the instructions at the top of the page. Then, complete the steps for setting up a password (visit the Security pages for password tips) and beginning your NYUHome service. If you encounter any problems, contact the ITS Client Services Center.

What if I don't know or forget my NetID?

You NetID is usually printed on the back of your NYUCard. If it doesn't appear there (or you don't have your card) and you have NOT already activated your NetID, go to the ITS Start page and follow the instructions at the top of the page to learn your NetID. If you HAVE already activated your NetID, contact the ITS Client Services Center at 1-212-998-3333 for assistance (have your University ID handy when you call; it is also printed on your NYUCard, but is a longer string of numbers and starts with an "N").

Can I change my NetID to something of my choosing?

No, your NetID is configured using your initials based on the way your name appears in personnel or registration data. It is directly associated with your NYU ID number, and therefore it helps ensure that you are properly authenticated when accessing the University's networked computer resources. Your NetID is also used to create your default NYU e-mail address.

Changing Your Password

How do I change my NYU password?

First, browse our Password Tips & Security page to help you choose a strong password, then, to change your password, follow the instructions on the NetID & Password page.

I received an email message from ITS saying that I have to change my password. Is this a legitimate message?

Yes, when it is time for you to update your password (required annually) ITS will send you one or more messages to remind you, and to warn you that your access to many online services might be suspended if you don't reset your password. You will also receive notices when you log into your NYUHome service.

The email message will be similar to the example below:

------------------------------------------
From: Technology Security Services
Information Technology Services
New York University
--------------------------------------------

This mail sent on: Month, Date, Year

ITS notification message for Recipients's Name (NetID)
--------------------------------------------------------

As part of our ongoing effort to improve computer security at NYU, Information Technology Services now requires everyone to change the password used with their New York University NetID on an annual basis. We are initiating this practice in the interest of protecting University data, your personal information, and a wide range of services available over the NYU network. This email to you is one message in a rolling process of notifications to all members of the NYU community about this new requirement.

Please reset your NYUHome password now by going to the ITS Start page (http://start.nyu.edu) and following the instructions.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR NYUHome PASSWORD BY Month, Date, Year.

If you miss this deadline, you will not be able to access NYUHome, central email service, dial-up, wireless and proxy service, and other restricted-access web pages and applications such as Oracle Workflow which require central NYU NetID authentication. This will also affect you if you are using an email client such as Eudora or Outlook to check your mail. You must change your password for continued access to these services.

We ask that you go to http://start.nyu.edu at your earliest convenience to change your password.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

If you do not change your password, we will send reminder messages prior to the expiration date. However, if the expiration date is reached before you take this step, your password will expire and you will no longer be able to access NYU computer and network resources which require central NYU NetID authentication. At that point, you will need to reset your password in order to re-enable its use.

If you change your password before the expiration date, you will not receive any further reminders. If you change your password one or more times each year, you can avoid these notices all together.

If you have questions, please contact ITS by sending email to its.clientservices@nyu.edu, or by calling 212-998-3333.

For answers to frequently asked questions about passwords and password changing, visit: http://www.nyu.edu/its/faq/passwords/.

Thank you for your cooperation in our roll-out of this University security initiative.

I'm a faculty member at the School of Medicine, and I've received an email message that my password is going to expire. What does this mean?

This email notice refers only to your NYU NetID and password, not the Medical School ID. The Medical School ID is known as the KID (or kerberos ID). While the two IDs are the same, they are used to access different systems and have different passwords. If you need to access Washington Square resources, such as NYUHome, you will need to go to http://start.nyu.edu to update your password. Changing this password will not change your password for Medical School resources, such as med.nyu.edu mail.

Why am I being asked to change my password?

As part of our ongoing effort to improve computer security at NYU, Information Technology Services requires everyone to change the password used with their New York University NetID on an annual basis. This practice helps to protect University data, your personal information, and the range of services available over the NYU network.

Which services will be affected if I don't change my password on time?

The password you use with your NetID controls your access to many services, notably NYUHome, your NYU email (whether you access it via NYUHome or use a software program such as Eudora or Outlook), NYURoam wireless access, DIAL (if you're connecting from home using a modem), i4 and i5, Blackboard (if you're enrolled in a class that uses this service), the NYU-NET Registration System, as well as logins to other NYU websites that require NetID authentication.

Which services are not affected when I change my NetID password?

The following services/accounts are not affected by updating your password:

  • ResNet and NYU office Ethernet connections
  • Forwarding of your NYU email to a non-NYU personal email account
  • Your personal Windows or Mac Administrator password

When will my newly changed password expire?

Your new password will expire approximately one year after you originally set it.

Will I get a reminder that my password is expiring?

You will be notified when your password is due to expire. You will receive three email reminders: three weeks before your password will be expired, then one week before expiration, and finally one day prior to expiration. Coordinated with these email messages, you will also see splash screen messages when you log into NYUHome, notifying you that you need to change your password.

If you change your password before the expiration date, you will not receive any further reminders. If you change your password one or more times each year, you can avoid these notices all together.

If I have a strong password, why should I have to keep changing it?

Changing your password frequently adds another layer of security. The longer the same password is linked to a NetID, the greater the likelihood that someone knows or can guess it. If you think someone knows your password, change it immediately. You should protect your password as carefully as you do the PIN for your ATM card. Never write your password where someone else using your computer could easily find it.

Can the ITS Client Services Center change my password for me over the phone?

No. You can only change your password by following the instructions above.

I created a new password and I got a message saying "Invalid password choice. You have entered a proposed password which is based upon a common dictionary word or name." What should I do?

You should enter a new proposed password based on our Password Tips & Security page.

What are the restrictions when I create a new password?

Your new password cannot be the same or very similar to your name or your logon ID. In addition, you may not reuse a password that you've previously used with your NetID. The password must be 8 or more characters in length. Follow the guidelines on our Password Tips & Security page.

How long after I have changed my password does my new one become valid?

Your new password will be valid almost immediately. If you test your account and this does not seem to be the case, you should repeat the process of changing your password. If the new password still doesn't work, you should call the ITS Client Services Center at 1-212-998-3333.

How do I reconfigure my BlackBerry to reflect my new NetID password?

Follow the instructions on the Using Your BlackBerry at NYU page.

How do I reconfigure my Treo to reflect my new NetID password?

Follow the instructions on the Using Your Treo at NYU page.

How do I reconfigure my email client (Eudora, Outlook, etc.) to reflect my new password?

Enter your new password when prompted by your client. If you are not prompted, then you probably have your client configured to store your password. ITS recommends that you never configure your software to remember passwords.

To change a stored password in Eudora:

  1. Click Tools from the top menu, then select Options.
  2. Select Checking Mail from the list on the left of the Options window
  3. Uncheck the box next to Save Password. Click OK.
  4. You will be prompted to enter your new password. Do so and click OK.

To change a stored password in Outlook:

  1. When Outlook starts up and cannot access your mailbox with your previous password, it will ask you to enter a new password. Do so, and click OK.

Who should I contact if I get stuck or need help?

Call the ITS Client Services Center at 1-212-998-3333 between 8:00 am and midnight on weekdays, and noon to midnight on weekends, or submit your question via the Ask ITS form.

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Problems with Your Password

What if I forget my password?

If you have forgotten your password, point an Internet browser to the ITS Start page (http://start.nyu.edu), enter your NetID, and click the "Start" button. On the next screen, click the "Continue" button, which will walk you through the steps of validating yourself and requesting a reminder of your password.

What if I forget my password and the answer to my password hint?

If you are unable to remember the answer to the password hint presented to you on the ITS Start page, please bring your NYUCard to the ITS Client Services Center (CSC) at 10 Astor Place, 4th floor to verify your identity and have your password and hint reset.

If you are truly unable to come to the CSC in person (e.g., you live abroad), contact the CSC at 1-212-998-3333 via the Ask ITS form for further instructions.

I'm trying to login to my account, and it keeps telling me that my login ID or password is incorrect. What should I do?

Try logging in again, making sure that you have typed your NetID and password correctly: All NYU NetIDs are in lower case; did you use lower case when you typed your NetID? Is Caps Lock on by accident? Assuming that you do know your NetID, if you try again and you still can't login, you should follow the instructions at What if I forget my password? above. If this still doesn't work, you should go to the ITS Client Services Center with your NYUCard (10 Astor Place, 4th floor) and a staff member will help you.

Page last reviewed: September 21, 2006