Changing Your RCS Account Password

Tips and Hints
Changing Your Password On-line
Changing Your Password on a UNIX System
Changing Your Password in Programs That Can Save Your Password

Tips and Hints:

Changing your password is important for system security and for your own security as well. Your RCS account gives you access to the following services: electronic mail, the dial-up modem pool, samba (file space and printing), FTP and login to the PC labs.

When you change your password, note that it might take up to 15 minutes for the password change to propagate across the various RCS systems.

Your password must contain exactly eight (8) characters and include some digits or punctuation marks. Avoid using uppercase letters.

Pick a password that you can remember without writing it down.

Do not use common words, or words or names that relate to you personally.

When you change your password, also remember to change it in any programs that might store it for you. See Programs That Can Save Your Password.

If you would like additional help in choosing your RCS password, or if you forget your password and need a new one, please contact the ARC Help Desk in the VCC.

Changing Your Password On-line

You can now change your password using a web-based program.

Change your password on-line

Changing Your Password on a UNIX System

You can also change your password from a UNIX system, either at a UNIX workstation or using a SecureCRT session from a PC.

Enter the command

passwd

The program will ask you if you want to read guidelines on choosing a password. We recommend that you read this information and take the time to choose a good password. The program will prompt you to enter your old (current) password, and then your new password twice for verification.

Changing Your Password in Programs That Can Save Your Password

A number of programs save your password so that you don't have to enter it each time. Three such applications are Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Internet Explorer, and Qualcomm Eudora.

To change your Microsoft Windows password:
We recommend that you change your Windows password to be the same as your RCS password.
Double-click on the My Computer icon on your desktop. Next, double-click on the Control Panel icon inthe window that appears. Finally, double-click on the Passwords icon. A Password Properties windows will appear. Click on the Change Windows Password ... button. In the window that appears, enter your old Windows password and new password, and confirm your new password in the appropriate fields. Click the OK button. A Microsoft Windows window will appear, confirming that you have successfully changed your Windows password.
To remove/change a password in Microsoft Outlook:
Start Outlook, select Tools from the menu option and then Accounts. From the Accounts window, select Properties and then the Servers tab. You now have the option of either deactivating the "Remember Password" option or typing the new password over the old password.
To remove/change a password in Microsoft Internet Explorer:
Start Internet Explorer. From the Tools menu option, select the Mail and News option and then the Read Mail option. This will start your email application. Select the Tools menu option and then the Email Accounts option. Select "View or change existing email accounts" and then the Next option. The Email Accounts window will open and you then select the Change option. You can now either deactivate the "Remember password" option or type in the new password. Click on the next button followed by the finished button.
To remove/change a password in Qualcomm Eudora:
Start Eudora. From the Tools menu select Options. Go down to Checking Mail and uncheck Save Password or type in the new password.

Return to the Accounts page.

Return to the ARC home page.

Please send comments and suggestions to consult@rpi.edu.