How to Change Passwords

Purpose
The Kuna School District (KSD) Technology Department requires all staff to change their system passwords once per school year. Passwords usually expire shortly after the school year begins. This procedure has been implemented to protect access (whether by accident or through malicious intent) to sensitive or confidential information.

District e-mail and network passwords are the same, there for e-mail passwords DO NOT need to be changed separately. To make remembering passwords easier, the Technology Team requires users to change passwords in Schoolmaster and Pidgin to match their network password.

This document contains instructions for creating strong, secure passwords and includes directions for changing passwords in the KSD Network, Schoolmaster and Pidgin.

How to create strong, secure passwords

 * Do not make password too obvious.
 * Do not make password too short.
 * Do not use common dictionary words.
 * Do not use the same password over and over again.
 * Do not share passwords with anyone.
 * Do not write passwords down on or near computer.
 * Do not store passwords in a file on ANY computer system.
 * Change passwords if compromise is suspected.

Tricks for More Secure Passwords
Start with an easy password: sammy
 * 1) Add more information to make password longer: sammy is my dog
 * 2) Remove spaces: sammyismydog
 * 3) Introduce substitute characters: $ammyismyd0g

Password Generator
If you would like assistance creating a secure password, this site allows you to define the length, number, and characters to include in creating random passwords or passwords that resemble words using characters.

http://www.goodpassword.com/

Novell Network Change Password

 * Login to the network using existing username and password.[[image:Novell_Password_Window.png|center|300px|Novell login window]]


 * If the "Change Password dialog box" appears, enter your old password, a new password, and the new password again to verify spelling. Select "change" to confirm your password change. Verify that your password changed in the "Results"section then exit or wait and the dialog box will close automatically.

Note: Users have the option to "Exit" out of this dialog box without initiating changes. After the grace period expires, the only option will be "Change".

Please Note: Users can change their network passwords at anytime using these simple steps;
 * Login to the computer
 * Press and hold the Ctrl + Alt + Delete Keys
 * The Novell Security Window will appear, click the 'Change Password Button'
 * Enter your current password in the 'Old Password' field
 * Enter your password in the 'New Password' field
 * Retype your password in the 'Confirm New Password' field
 * Click OK

Groupwise Password Change
Novell & Groupwise share the same password, so there is no need to change them seperately.

SchoolMaster Password Change

 * Login to Schoolmaster using existing username and password
 * [Click] Edit [Click] Change Password
 * Enter the current password in the "Current" text box. Enter the new password in the "New" textbox. Enter the new password again in the "Verify" text box.
 * [Click] OK

Note: Your Password is now changed in Schoolmaster and Gradebook.

Pidgin Password Change
Pidgin Instant Messenger and Novell Login share the same password. If you have saved a previous password in Pidgin, it must be updated to the Novell Login password for the program to function.
 * Start Pidgin
 * [Click] Cancel
 * [Double Click] the Pidgin icon on the taskbar at the lower right of the screen
 * [Click] Accounts
 * [Click] Add/Edit
 * [Click] Checkbox to enable account
 * [Click] Modify
 * Note: The Disconnected window may appear repeatedly during this process. ([Click] Close)
 * Enter the new password in the Password section
 * [Click] Save
 * Verify the account is still enabled
 * [Click] Close
 * Enter the new password [Click] OK
 * Note: It may be several seconds before this window appears. [Double-Click] the Pidgin icon to avoid the wait.