What The Heck Are All These Passwords?

Incoming students at the U of I are often confused by the numerous logins and passwords required to use campus computing facilities.

Unfortunately the computing facilities are run by different organizations and departments on campus, using a wide variety of computers and software, so there is no way to avoid the problem right now. There have been some steps toward a common campus-wide authentication method, so there is hope. For now, though, we're all faced with remembering numerous passwords. 

This list covers the passwords most commonly used by CTER students. There are many other password-protected systems on campus, however, and you may encounter others in the future.

The instructions below will help you maintain and change your own passwords through web-based interfaces. Note that no one can tell you your passwords, though the organizations in charge can reset your passwords.

We hope that this document will help you navigate through the password jungle. If you have any questions, email us at cter-tech-l@listserv.uiuc.edu

• Kerberos password, sometimes called "NetworkID password", "UI Direct password" or "Bluestem password". This is the the big one. If you know your Kerberos password you can change (most of) your other passwords. It is very important to keep this password secure. Someone with this password can not only change your other passwords, he or she may be able to access your student records, sign you up for (or withdraw you from) classes, charge things to your student account, and various other nasty things. This password is issued to you along with your NetID by CITES (formerly CCSO) when you first become a U of I student. 
• What if I forget? If you forget your Kerberos password, you're in a world of hurt. You will have to show up in person (with photo ID) at the CITES office to get it reset. Off-campus students MAY be able to get away with faxed documentation. 
• If you just want to change your Kerberos password (which we recommend doing on a regular basis), go to the CITES password change page and click on the website link for NetworkID. Of course you won't be able to do this unless you already know the Kerberos password.
• Email password This password is used to access your student email account, whether through Webmail, telnet, or a POP3 email client such as Eudora or Outlook Express. 
• What if I forget? Go to the CITES password change page and click on the website link for Email. You will need to know your NetID and Kerberos password to make the change. Note that this will take you to a page which offers to change many of your passwords. Be sure to check the box next to CCSO Student/Staff Email Cluster, as well as entering new passwords.
• Active Directory password This password is used for many Windows-related networking tasks. For CTER students, it's most commonly used to access your web folder. 
• What if I forget? Go to the CITES password change page and click on the website link for Active Directory and follow the instructions. Again, you will need to know your NetID and Kerberos password.
• CTER-Supported applications including WebBoard, SurveyIt, CBase, and the various other web-enabled database applications. 
• What if I forget? Though CTER doesn't run all of these systems (for example, WebBoard is operated by a non-CTER group) we do have administrative access to all of them. If you forget your password, you can email CTER Technical Support and we'll be happy to reset it for you. Note that we can't reset your Kerberos, Email, or Active Directory passwords.

Also see this information from CITES on choosing and managing your passwords.

Click here to get to a simplified interface for changing passwords. 

Document created by Tony Hursh, June 10, 2002
Updated by Doe-Hyung Kim, August 20, 2002