Academics
Mikenet Password Rules
Do I absolutely have to change my password?
Due to security reasons, all Mikenet users are required to change their passwords every 120 days. This password change does not impact the user’s eCollege, KnightVision, or Datatel passwords.
How will I know when my password is due to expire?
When your password is due to expire, you will receive a prompt to change your password at login (either while logging into a college-owned computer or logging into email through Outlook Web Access). Follow the on-screen prompts to change your password.
Special Note for Outlook Web Access users: There are two possibilities for changing your password through Outlook Web Access (webmail). Please read the screen carefully!
Option 1. If you are changing your password because you were prompted to do so, type your username as requested in the form of Mikenet/username (e.g.: Mikenet/jdoe). (If you have trouble resetting your password at the prompt, you may log in with your current password and then use the Options button (#2) to change your password.)
Option 2. If you are using the Options button through Outlook Webmail’s Internet Service Manager to change your password, enter the domain name (Mikenet) on the first line, and your username on the second line. Enter your current password, your new password, and the new password a second time to confirm. Click OK and your password will be changed.
What rules do I have to follow when changing my password?
• Passwords must be at least 6 characters long and no more than 28 characters
• Passwords cannot contain all or part of your Mikenet name or full name
• You cannot reuse your last 3 passwords; simply changing the case of one or more letters doesn’t satisfy this rule (Password1 is viewed the same as PASSword1)
• Your password must contain characters from at least 3 of the 4 categories listed here:
1. Uppercase letters (A through Z)
2. Lowercase letters (a through z)
3. Numeric characters (0 through 9)
4. Special (!@#$%^&*()_+) character
How can I pick a password that I’ll be able to remember, yet follow all those rules?
Try creating a pass-phrase based password:
1. Think of a sentence that you can remember, such as my son Adam is three years older than my daughter Anna. This will be your pass-phrase.
2. Take the first letter of each word of the sentence to create a new word. Using the example above, you'd get: msaityotmda.
3. Then mix it up by using a combination of upper and lowercase letters and numbers. Example: MsAi3yotmdA
4. Finally, substitute some special characters that look like letters, to make this password even stronger. These tricks finish the example password to read M$8ni3y0tmd@
(If you're worried about remembering your pass-phrase, start with a common phrase, such as You can't teach an old dog new tricks, then inject at least one number or symbol into the password. In this case, yctaodnt can become YctaODnT, or even U(t@0DnT.)
How can I be sure that my password is strong enough?
Check the strength of your password at: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/privacy/password_checker.mspx
Where can I get help if I’m unable to change my password?
To report problems, please either call or stop by the Helpdesk, as we are unable to change passwords via email. When calling the Helpdesk for a password-related problem, please be prepared to give your SMC ID# , which you’ll find on the front of your ID card. Our Helpdesk staff is required to have this number before a password can be reset. Please note that passwords can only be reset during normal IT Helpdesk hours: Monday-Friday between 8:00AM and 5:00PM.