Password expiry on new UOB domain accounts

All students studying for 60 credits or more are automatically registered for UOB domain accounts when they become "current students" in the student records system. All staff are automatically registered for UOB domain accounts when their employment (or honorary status) starts. UOB domain accounts for such users will be created with the initial password set to expire after 30 days. This policy applies to all UOB users.

This document aims to answer questions that may arise about this policy.

Why are IS requiring password changes?

It has become apparent that many users never change the password that they were allocated when their accounts were set up. A significant number of staff have access to the initial password for legitimate reasons.

Users are issued with a printed sheet containing their computer registration details when they register at the start of their academic career. We find that many students lose this sheet, or dispose of it carelessly, before they change their password. A substantial number of students never change their password.

One of the problems with the initial password is that we have to use a restricted set of characters so they are unambiguous when printed. For example, the letter 'l' and the number '1' can look virtually identical. We have to avoid these to prevent confusion. These restrictions do not apply where you choose your own password.

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So, how long do I have before I must change my password?

The initial password will expire 30 days after the account is created. The account is created shortly after the student is entered into the student records system as being a "current student". This can happen in advance of the student's official start date -- for example, at the start of the academic year, students become "current" around a fortnight before term starts.

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How will I know when the deadline for password changes is?

At around 14 days before the password expires, every time you log on to a Windows computer with your UOB account you will be notified that your password will expire soon. In addition, warning emails will be sent periodically to your University email account (which also uses the UOB domain password). These mails will state clearly when the password expires.

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Will I have to change my password every 30 days?

No. Once you have changed the password once, you will not be required to do so again (unless other independent changes force this). It is good practice, however, to change your password periodically, though we do not currently have plans to require this.

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What restrictions are there on passwords?

You must use a password that is at least 8 characters long, but no more than 14. You must use a mixture of upper and lower-case letters, digits, and punctuation marks.

While Windows allows passwords well in excess of 14 characters, some of the non-Windows systems which use the UOB domain password cannot cope with passwords over 14 characters in length. Once those systems have been updated to cope with longer passwords, this restriction will be removed.

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Will changing my UOB password change my sis/eis password too?

Yes. sis/eis use the UOB username and password for authentication.

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Will changing my UOB password change my Blackboard password too?

Yes. Blackboard uses the UOB username and password for authentication.

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I have a question that is not answered here.

Please contact the IT Service Desk for more information.

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