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Information
Technology Services
Location: Palumbo 3000 - 3rd Floor HelpDesk: 814-871-7501 Fax: 814-871-5560
Mon -Thurs: 8AM - 11PM, Friday:
8AM - 4:30PM, Sat & Sun: Noon - 9PM
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NetworkID and Password FAQ
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Answers
1. How can I find my NetworkID?
Your Network ID can be found on the top right hand corner of your semester bill or on the top left hand corner of your class schedule. If you don't have your semester bill or you don't have your class schedule, click on the Activate My ID link and follow the prompts. Activate My ID will inform you of your NetworkID. You will also be prompted to create a new password.
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2. What is my Password?
Your Password is initially the last 4 digits of your social security number followed by your first and last initials (For example, 2846AB)
If you don't know your password and you have set up your PIN, Questions and Answers, click on I forgot my password, If you haven't yet set up your PIN, Questions and Answers or simply can't remember them, click on Activate My ID and follow the prompts.
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3. Activate My ID gave me a message saying it couldn't proccess my request. What should I do?
New NetworkID's are usable the next business day after registration for classes. Please wait 24 hours and try again. If you still get the 'unable to proccess your request' message, contact the ITS Helpdesk at (814) 871-7501.
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4. Why is it necessary to change my network password?
Your NetworkID and Password are used to authenticate your access to nearly all network resources (the network itself, email, MyGannon, GUXpress, network drives, InsideGU, etc.) and a strong password is the first line of defense to prevent unauthorized access to all of your personal information and university information. Were your password to be compromised, a hacker could obtain personal information to steal your identity, send threats or viruses from your email account, attempt to access university servers and on-line academic records, just to name a few examples.
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5. Why do I have to change it so often and why can't I just flip-flop between 2 passwords?
The more often a password is changed and the greater duration between reusing a password, the lower the risk to the individual and the entire university. We knew these parameters cause some hassle to users, but we significantly modified the recommendations made by our IT Auditors to reduce the hassle factor as much as possible while maintaining the security benefits associated with a password change policy.
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IT Auditor's Recommendation |
Gannon
Implementation |
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Change passwords
a minimum of every 30-60 days (6-12 times per year) |
Change passwords
twice during Fall and Spring semesters (4 times per year) |
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Never reuse
previous password |
Reuse password
after 3 changes |
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Lockout (disable)
access to an account after 3 failed attempts to login and require the
user to physically come into ITS to have it re-enabled |
Lockout after 5
failed attempts and automatically reset after 30 minutes (will still
deter automated password hacking) |
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Password contains
at least 6 characters including; uppercase and lowercase characters,
numeric digits and symbols |
Password contains
at least 6 characters |
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6. How can I remember my new password?
Your password should be difficult for someone else to guess but easy for you to remember (and type!). The more mixed-up and random it is, the harder it is to crack. Here are some suggestions for a password that is not too difficult to remember:
- An acronym – the first letter (or two) of each word of a phrase or list.
- Favorite quote – Four score and seven years ago = FSASYA
- Song or movie title – Close Encounters of the third kind = CEOTTK
- Use a habit: I like to play Basketball at 6:00 = IltpB@6
- Uncle's names: Thomas, James, John, Dom, Lou, Tony = tjjdlt
- Intersperse the letters and numbers of an easy to remember word and date
- Dad's birthday is May 15th = d5a1d5
- Anniversary is September 24th = ma9rr2ie4d
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7. Won't things be less secure if everyone just writes down their new password so they don't forget it?
Yes, that is why you should not write your password down or store it in a file on your PC or PDA. As alternatives, try one of the methods above, write down a hint (e.g., Gettysburg) or write down your password and keep it on your person or in a locked drawer, then destroy it once you have it memorized.
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8. What happens if I don't change my network password?
Your password will expire 60 days after the last time you changed it. Once your password has expired, when you attempt to log into an office or lab PC, you will be prompted to change your password. Until you do so, you will not be able to access any network resources or dial in.
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9. How do I know when my password will expire?
After logging in to the myGannon portal, the number of days remaining until your password expires is displayed on the top of the main page.
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10. Can I change my password before it expires?
Yes, in fact, ITS encourages everyone to change their password a few days before it is set to expire to ensure you do not encounter any interruption in access to any system. To do so, simply click the Change Password link on the my.gannon.edu login page and follow the instructions. Make sure to reboot your PC after you've changed your password to reestablish all of your network connections.
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11. What if I'm still having problems?
Call the ITS Help Desk at (814) 871-7501, while they cannot change your password for you, they can assist you with setting up your PIN, Questions and Answers.
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