Introduction       Your network ID and password provide you with access to a variety of computer systems throughout the University. They allow authorized users to access sensitive information, which may be protected by laws such as FERPA and HIPAA. It is each user's responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of their network ID and password.     To help maintain the security of your information, you should change your network password periodically. You may change your password as often as you like, but you will now be required to change it at least once every six months.     The Computer Center has created the guidelines below to assist you in creating a secure environment for your information resources. Password Expiration     Your password will automatically expire 180 days from the date it was last changed. Prior to expiration, you will receive several e-mail reminders informing you that your password needs to be changed. To avoid losing access to the Hofstra University network, you will want to change your password in advance of the expiration date.     If you don't change your password before it expires, you will be given 10 grace logins to allow you to do so. If you don't change your password before you use up these grace logins, you will no longer be able to access Hofstra network services, including the My.Hofstra.edu Portal, GroupWise e-mail, Hofstra Online Information System and the University's Novell network. Once your password has expired, you'll need to contact the Help Desk at (516) 463-7777 in order to gain access to the Self-Service Password System. Creating a Strong Password     The first and simplest step to secure computing is the use of a strong password. Strong passwords are difficult for hackers to determine and are not based on dictionary words or phrases.     Your new password must conform to the following guidelines: Your password must use at least eight (8) characters, but can't contain more than thirty-two (32) characters. Macintosh users must set passwords at exactly eight (8) characters. You must use at least one (1) numeral in your password. A number can't start or end the password. Your password must include at least one (1) special character (Banner Users see below). Some sample special characters include: ! @ # $ & ^ & * ( ) + _ , = . ? / Banner users must select from the following characters: ! % + _ . - * Do not use a space as a character in your password. Passwords must be unique. You may not reuse passwords you have used in the past. Passwords are case-sensitive, so capital and lowercase letters used in your password must be typed in the same case each time you enter it.

Self-Service Password System     Hofstra University has implemented a Self-Service Password System (available online at http://www.hofstra.edu/password) to allow you to change your password or set your challenge questions from any location with an Internet connection, without having to visit the Help Desk. Setting or changing your challenge questions     The Self-Service Password System's "Forgot Password" feature allows you to change your password even if you don't know the current password associated with your network ID. In order for the system to verify your identity in the event of a forgotten password, you'll need to set two challenge questions and store the answers to those questions on the system. The process for setting challenge questions is the same whether you're changing the questions or setting them for the first time.

Navigate to the Self-Service Password System at http://www.hofstra.edu/password. If you're using a Macintosh, you'll need to use the Firefox Web browser. Login to the system by entering your network ID and password in the appropriate fields, and then click Login. On the main page, choose Challenge Questions from the list of options on the left. When the Challenge Questions page loads, respond to the first question ("In what town/city were you born?"), and in the next box, create your own question and answer it. Click Submit to save your challenge responses. Once you receive a confirmation page letting you know that your responses were successfully saved, close all open Web browsers to finalize the changes. Changing your password Navigate to the Self-Service Password System at http://www.hofstra.edu/password. If you're using a Macintosh, you'll need to use the Firefox Web browser. Login to the system by entering your network ID and existing password in the appropriate fields, and then click Login. On the main page, choose Change Password from the list of options on the left. When the Change Password page loads, enter your old password and then the new password in the appropriate fields. Click Submit to save the new password. Once you receive a confirmation page letting you know that the password was successfully changed, close all open Web browsers to finalize the changes.

Changing a forgotten password Navigate to the Self-Service Password System at http://www.hofstra.edu/password. If you're using a Macintosh, you'll need to use the Firefox Web browser. Enter the system by clicking on the link under the blue Forgot Password header on the login page. Enter your network ID when prompted, and click Submit. Enter the answers to your challenge questions, and click Submit to continue. When the Change Password page loads, enter your old password and then the new password in the appropriate fields. Click Submit to save the new password. Once you receive a confirmation page letting you know that the password was successfully changed, close all open Web browsers to finalize the changes.

Where to Find Help     The Computer Center has created a password information site (available online at http://www.hofstra.edu/passwordinfo) that details the University's password policy and gives some tips and tricks for creating strong passwords. You can also contact the Help Desk 24 hours a day by calling (516) 463-7777, or e-mailing Help@Hofstra.edu.