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What you need to know
Frequently asked questions about eID passwords
- Why do I have to change my password?
- How do I change my password?
- What's the password-change deadline?
- What if I forgot my password or miss the password-change deadline?
- What are the password requirements?
- Can you give me some tips for choosing a good password?
- What shouldn't I use for my password?
Why do I have to change my password?
A good password changed at regular intervals provides the best protection for your computing identity, files, and K-State resources.
eID passwords must be changed each spring and fall semester in order to access K-State's information technology resources and comply with university policy. If you fail to change your password, you will lose access to K-State email and other resources.
How do I change my password?
You can change your password through eProfile or by contacting the IT Help Desk. Please note that after changing your password you must immediately update your password in all your computers, devices, and applications or risk getting locked out of KSU Wireless and email.
A. eProfile
- Go to eProfile, type in your eID and current password, then click the Sign in button.
- Click the Change your eID password link.
- Type your new password in the boxes (twice, to verify it), and click the Change Password button.
- Review or enter your password reset security question and answer as well as your mobile number.
- You'll receive a message within seconds that your new password is ready to use.
B. Contact the IT Help Desk.
You can change your password over the phone or in person at the IT Help Desk, 214 Hale Library on the Manhattan campus or at the ID Center, 103 TAC Building on the Salina campus. You will need to provide proof of your identity.
Don't risk getting locked out of K-State wireless or email. Once you have changed to a new password, immediately update the eID password settings in all your computers, devices, and applications. This includes:
- KSU Wireless and/or KSU Housing wireless connections, using XpressConnect.
- Your local email and calendar client such as Outlook, MacMail and iCal, Pegasus or Gmail.
- Your mobile device(s) such as your cellphone or tablet.
- Other mobile devices, computers, and Web services.
If desired, you can review the step-by-step instructions for changing your password.
What's the password-change deadline?
eID passwords must be changed each spring and fall semester during an approximate six-week timeframe.
- For SPRING semester, the timeframe is January 1 through the second Wednesday in February.
- For FALL semester, the timeframe is August 1 through the second Wednesday in September.
eID passwords will expire if not changed by the end of the password-change timeframe. See What if I miss the password-change deadline? below.
What if I forgot my password or miss the password-change deadline?
If you do not change your eID's password by the deadline, it expires for security purposes. You will not be able to access your K-State email, iSIS, HRIS, K-State Online, and more when it expires.
If you miss the deadline and previously set an alternate email address, security question and security answer in the Password reset options section in eProfile, then you can reset your eID password online.
- Go to the eProfile password reset website and enter your eID.
- An email will be sent to your alternate email address.
- From that email, click the password-reset link and then answer your password-reset question.
If you did not set an alternate email address with security question and answer, you will need to contact the IT Help Desk.
You can change your password over the phone or in person at the IT Help Desk, 214 Hale Library on the Manhattan campus or at the ID Center, 112 College Center on the Salina campus. You will need to provide proof of your identity.
What are the password requirements?
- Must be 10-30 characters (letters, numbers, and/or punctuation marks)
- Can be a multi-word phrase containing spaces; your phrase can't begin or end with a space
- Must contain characters from 3 of the 4 following categories:
- Uppercase letters
- Lowercase letters
- Numbers
- Special characters allowed: ! " # $ % & ´ ( ) * + , - . : ; < = > ? @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` { | } ~ space bar
- Is at least 5 different characters
- Cannot be an accurately and completely spelled word, name, eID, acronym, or K-State-related name
- Passwords cannot be repeated for two years
Can you give me some tips for choosing a good password?
Think of it as a specialized license plate, with a mandatory 10-30 characters. It should be easy to remember but hard to guess. Read the following tips, but don't use any examples given below. (Since they're listed here, they've been removed from use.)
| Tips for a good password | Examples |
|---|---|
Use a phrase containing spaces. |
Passwords Are Good, Yes? Passwords Are Good, Yes? |
Reverse part of a word or phrase. Add in a number, punctuation mark, or uppercase letter. |
paSs-1drow word1-paSs |
|
psag4m&K-S (passwords are good for me and K-State) |
Include numbers.
|
Nl84rgb7iN Numbers like 84 are good but 7 is Not pwBnrGbn200 passwords with Big numbers are Good but not 200 |
Use punctuation marks. These can add emphasis to a phrase you've chosen. You can use any of the basic punctuation marks on a keyboard: ! " # $ % & ´ ( ) * + , - . : ; < = > ? @ [ \ ] ^ _ ` { | } ~ space bar |
partB, rtn? passwords are the Best, are they not? |
What shouldn't I use for my password?
You should not use any of the following:
- K-State terms. Virtually everything related to K-State is already in the "DO NOT USE" list, including building names and codes, K-State acronyms, and all kinds of sports jargon. Hackers "mine" K-State webpages for local terms to use in guessing passwords.
- First or last names of any K-Staters.
- Personal numbers or codes (age, phone number, postal address, date of birth, driver's license, SSN).
Those numbers are more public than you think. - Any known information about you, such as parts of your eID, name, address,
pet names, friends' names, family names, hobbies, or favorites. - Obvious number sequences such as "123456" or "654321". Also, obvious number sequences added to your name or eID such as "willie1234".