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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 e-mail 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 NYU 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 IT Service Desk.

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 NYU 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 IT Service Desk 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. Except under extraordinary circumstances — because of a name change, a NetID assigned based on incomplete or faulty name information, or a personal aversion to a section of the NetID — ITS cannot change your NetID.

Changing Your Password

NetID Password vs. Google Apps Password

If you've received one or more password expiration email notices from ITS, it is in reference to your NetID password — not your Google Apps password. When you change your NetID password, this does not change your Google Apps password, or vice versa. (Your Google Apps password does not expire. You can, however, change it whenever you want by going to the NYU Start Page, logging in with your existing NetID and NetID password, and following the Set an NYU Google Apps password link.)

How do I change my NYUHome or Google Apps 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 e-mail 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 e-mail message will be similar to the example below:

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*IMPORTANT* It's time to change your NYU NetID password

YOUR CURRENT NETID PASSWORD WILL EXPIRE BY [[DATE]]. As part of NYU's ongoing efforts to maintain computer security, you are required to change the password you use with your NYU NetID at least once per year.

Please note that if you use a mobile device such as an iPhone, iPad, or other PDA, you may be required to update that device with your new NetID password. For more information about NYU passwords and the services that are affected by password changes, visit www.nyu.edu/its/test/netid/#password.

Please change your password now by going to the NYU Start Page (http://start.nyu.edu and following the instructions there.

REMEMBER: NYU will never ask you for your password. Do not send your password in response to this or any other email. Your password is to be used only when logging in to NYU services and websites.

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

This e-mail 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 NetID password on time?

Your NetID password controls your access to many services, notably NYUHome, NYU E-mail, Calendar, and other Google Apps for Education, NYURoam wireless access, 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 NetID password:

  • ResNet and NYU office Ethernet connections
  • Your Google Apps password
  • Forwarding of your NYU e-mail to a non-NYU personal e-mail 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 e-mail reminders: three weeks before your password will be expired, then one week before expiration, and finally one day prior to expiration. Coordinated with these e-mail 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 NetID 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 IT Service Desk 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 NetID. 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 IT Service Desk at 1-212-998-3333.

How do I reconfigure my mobile device to reflect my new NetID password?

If you use Google Apps on your mobile device to check NYU E-mail, you do not need to reconfigure your device after you change your NetID password. If you are reconfiguring your device to reflect your new Google Apps password, see these instructions. If you are checking your NYU E-mail using a non-Google mobile application, follow the instructions on the Setting Up Your Smart Phone page.

How do I reconfigure my e-mail client to reflect my new NetID 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.

Remember: Your NetID password and Google Apps password are two different passwords. Click here for detailed instructions on configuring your NYU E-mail.

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

Call the IT Service Desk at 1-212-998-3333 or AskITS@nyu.edu, or see the Ask ITS area for additional support options.

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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 NYU Start page, 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 NYU Start page, please bring your NYUCard to the IT Service Desk 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 IT Service Desk in person (e.g., you live abroad), contact the IT Service Desk at 1-212-998-3333 or 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? Are you typing your Google Apps password by mistake? 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 IT Service Desk with your NYUCard (10 Astor Place, 4th floor) and a staff member will help you.

Page last reviewed: August 9, 2011