September 6, 2011
eID password changes increase as Sept. 14 deadline nears
With the Wednesday, Sept. 14, eID password deadline a little more than a week away, email reminders were sent Thursday, Sept. 1, to all K-State eIDs with unchanged passwords.
K-State employees are ahead of K-State students on making their password changes. As of Friday morning, Sept. 2, about 2,851 — or 46.9 percent — of current employees have changed their password. About 10,368 — or 39.6% — of current students have changed their eID password.
Password statistics from Andy Wiens, in the office of mediated education, also show how many K-State eID passwords haven't been changed as of Sept. 2:
- eIDs required to change password: 44,890
- eIDs that have NOT changed password: 29,069
- eIDs that have changed password: 15,821
- Current students: 26,171
- Current students that have NOT changed password: 15,803
- Current employees: 6,076
- Current employees that have NOT changed password: 3,225
The above eID statistics include many eIDs for people, groups or systems that are not students or employees, Wiens explained. He also noted that the "current student" subset of eIDs overlaps with the "current employee" subset.
Key tips about passwords
1. Email phishing scams abound, as hackers try to trick users into divulging their eID password. K-State will never ask for your eID password via email. Any email that asks for a password -- or points to a Web page that asks for a password -- is a phishing scam and should be deleted immediately.
2. Users of the new KSU Wireless network (which has WPA2 security) will need to also update their wireless password after they've successfully changed their eID password.
3. It's easy to change your password online or by contacting the IT Help Desk.
- To change your password: Use the Sign in to K-State Web page, sign in with your eID and current password, then click “Change your eID password” and follow the steps. (Tips on choosing a good password are in the Frequently asked questions about eID passwords.)
- Forgot your password? Call the IT Help Desk, 785-532-7722, and verify your identity. Staff can set a temporary password for you to sign in.
4. After Sept. 14, eIDs with unchanged passwords will lose access to K-State webmail, the iSIS student information system, K-State Online, free laser printing, university computing labs and other resources.