Password management

Password problems are the number one helpline issue at the University. Read the information on this page for hints and tips on how to keep your IT account secure .

Make sure you never get locked out of your University IT account by setting your security questions and answers .

Student working on a laptop in Jubilee Campus

About your University password

Most networked IS services, including Microsoft Outlook and the Intranet Portal use the same University password. When you change your password for your University username for any of these facilities it changes for all of them. For all password services, visit IT Accounts .

Please note that some services have their own passwords which cannot be updated by using IT Accounts e.g. Saturn, Vacancy Manager, Agresso and the Unix service. For more information contact the IT Helpline .

The first time you log into IT Accounts , you will be asked to create security questions and answers. You will then be able to use these to retrieve your password if you forget it later on. Instructions on how to do this are available below.

Changing your password

Change your password arrow

If you know what your existing password is:

open IT Accounts and enter your University username and current password then click Login
click Change Password from the left-hand side of the window and follow the instructions
close IT Accounts by clicking Logout in the top right-hand corner of the window

If you do not know what your existing password is:

open IT Accounts and click Forgot Password?
enter your University username
if you have previously set your password challenge questions and answers you will be prompted to answer three of your four questions.
Once you have done this, click Submit and follow the instructions to change your password.
To close IT Accounts, click Logout in the top right-hand corner of the window

If you have not completed the password challenge questions and answers, please contact the IT Helpline on 0115 95 16677

Setting Security Questions and Answers

Set your security questions and answers arrow

The IT Accounts service allows you to set four questions and answers that you can use should you forget your password. To do this:

open IT Accounts and enter your University username and current password, then click Login . If you don't know this information then contact the IT Helpline on 0115 95 16677
if you have already set up your challenge questions and answers you will go straight through to your Account Profile

if you haven't set up your challenge questions and answers IT Accounts will ask you to enter four of your own questions and answers. The answers are case-sensitive. Once you have done this, click Submit and you will be taken to your Account Profile
to close IT Accounts, click Logout in the top right-hand corner of the window

If you need to change your questions or answers, login to IT Accounts as above then:

in your Account Profile , click Password Challenge Response on the left hand side of the window
your questions will appear on screen. Un-tick User Stored Response to edit your previous questions and answers. Once you have made your changes, click S ubmit

Keeping your password secure

Key information about your University password:

you have to change your password every 180 days , in line with the IS Security Policy
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you will be notified by email 30 days before
your password must contain at least seven alphabetic and/or numeric characters (preferably between 8 and 12 characters)
you will not be allowed to change your password to any of your last six passwords
you should never tell anyone the answers to the security questions or your password
the University will never ask you for your password via email, telephone, letter or face to face

The recommended process for choosing a secure password is:

think of a memorable phrase on which to base the password
replace words with meaningful numbers or special symbols (e.g. to, too=2, for=4, and=&)
capitalise some of the first letters.
replace letters with numbers or special characters that look similar (e.g. I=1, o=0, s=5 or $)
try to include a number somewhere. Try replacing an 'e' with three or 'oh' with a zero. E.g z00gard3n
avoid commonly used words - such as 'password' or the names of your family
don't use any part of your name in the password
don’t use a space, backslash ('\') or a pound sign ("£") in your password
don't use characters that aren't readily accessible on the keyboard formats you are likely to be using (e.g. ø if you need to use UK format keyboards)

For more advice about managing your password, please contact the IT Helpline .

Information Services

King's Meadow Campus
Lenton Lane
Nottingham, NG7 2NR

Please see our Help and support page for
telephone and email
contact points

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