Web Account Password Tech Doc

Introduction

This document contains instructions for changing web account passwords. Typically an account on www.indstate.edu is setup to be accessible using the FrontPage extensions. Accounts with this feature have two passwords. One password is used to access UNIX services, for example SSH and FTP. The FrontPage password is only used to login through FrontPage. It should also be noted other "FrontPage" login usernames and passwords can be created. Additional FrontPage accounts follow the same procedure for changing their FrontPage password. However, these additional accounts will not have UNIX passwords.

This document assumes the reader has a working knowledge of FrontPage 2002 (for changing FrontPage passwords) and an SSH client (for changing UNIX passwords).

Changing a UNIX Password

Your UNIX password is the password used for SSH and FTP access. To change the password, follow these instructions:

1. Open your SSH program and login to your account. Official ISU SSH documentation is available here:
   
   http://ithelp.indstate.edu/info/ssh-client.html
2. At the command prompt, type "passwd".
3. You will be prompted for your current password ("Enter Logon Password:"), type in your old password and hit "Enter".
   
4. You will then be prompted for your new password ("New Password:"). Enter your new password and hit "Enter". For help choosing a good password, see the URLs in the "Important Notes" section at the end of this document.
   
5. You will be prompted to re-enter your new password ("Re-enter new password:"). Enter the new password again and hit "Enter".
   
6. As long as you entered everything correctly, your password is now changed.
   
7. If the two new passwords didn't match you'll be asked to enter a new password again (go back to step 4).

Changing a FrontPage Password

Important Notes

Things to remember about choosing and changing passwords:

• Passwords should be chosen carefully. For information about choosing good passwords look here:
  • http://archive.ncsa.uiuc.edu/SCD/Consulting/Security/passwords.html
  • http://www.alw.nih.gov/Security/Docs/passwd.html
  • http://www.google.com/search?q=good%20passwords
• Only give passwords to people that REALLY need them.
• When you change an account password, notify anyone else using that account.
• It is recommended you change your password often. At least every four months and whenever a staff member of the Unit/Department leaves.