Usernames, Passwords, & PINs

Usernames are permanent and unique identifiers assigned to an individual upon the enrollment or employment to Auburn University.  Usernames created after July 5, 2006, will generally consist of the user's first, middle and last initials followed by a four digit number (ex. abc1234). Usernames created before July 5, 2006 will be grandfathered into the system, and generally consist of the first five letters of the last name, followed by the first initial and middle initial.

• If you have forgotten your username, contact the OIT HelpDesk (844-4944 or helpdesk@auburn.edu).
• If you would like to request an email alias or to update your name in the address book, (requires a legal name change first), visit the Username Update Request.

Auburn University passwords are alphanumeric strings of characters that grant you, in association with a given username, access to many computing resources (such as AU Access, AU Install, Computing Labs, Email, etc.).  Passwords needed for Auburn resources can be managed through MyAccount.

An Auburn University PIN, or Personal Identification Number, is assigned to an individual when they were enrolled or employed at Auburn. PINs are only used by faculty and student advisors, so PINs are typically only known by students when a tigeri registration hold needs to be removed.

Common Topics

• Forgetting your password

  So you forgot your password? If you have established your security questions in MyAccount, you can reset your own password there. If not, you should contact the OIT HelpDesk.

  OIT HelpDesk
  3rd Floor - RBD Library
  (334) 844-4944

• Forgetting your PIN

  So you forgot your PIN?  Students must contact their academic advisor. Employees must contact their Administrative Computing Coordinator.
• Selecting a very strong password

  Instead of a password start thinking in terms of a pass-phrase.

  • Since there is a minimum of 8 characters for passwords it's easier to think of a phrase that you can remember:

  Example: I donate money to the 4-H
  Resulting pass-phrase: Id$2the4H
  

  • Take advantage of the three allowed special characters ( _ $ # ) and the length of 30 characters. In general, the longer the password the more secure.
    
    
  • It's best to avoid words found in the dictionary but sometimes combining short words for a pass-phrase is okay.

    Example: Great fun for all
    Resulting pass-phrase: Gr8_Fun_4_All

  • Use numbers as part of words but don’t substitute digits for characters such as using zero in place of the letter O or the digit one instead of the letter L or I.

    Good password: do_u_h8_NickS8n (just kidding)
    Bad password: n0tg00dpassw0rd

  • Avoid using any words associated with Auburn University such as WarEagle or Tigers.  Instead you drop the vowels, add an adjective, etc.

    Example: Tigers are number one forever
    Resulting pass-phrase: TgrsR#1_4ever

  • Don't use other easily obtained information about yourself, for example:
    • your username,
    • your name,
    • name of a relative or friend,
    • license plate numbers,
    • phone numbers,
    • social security numbers,
    • the make of your automobile,
    • the name of the street you live on,
    • the room number or building in which you work, etc.
      
      While using this information may create a password easy to remember, people that know you may easily figure it out.
      
      
• Stolen passwords

  If you suspect your password has been obtained by someone else, change it immediately and contact the OIT HelpDesk.

  Circumstances indicating unauthorized use of your account:

  • Strange files appear and disappear in your directories.
  • Incoming email messages refer to a message you did not send.
  • Last login date and location on OIT Sun Network is wrong or different than your normal activities.
• Password Rules

  The rules for changing your password are as follows:

  • Begin with a letter
  • Minimum 8 characters, Maximum 30 characters
  • Minimum "average" strength
    • Average = Using a number and UPPERCASE & lowercase letters

General How-To

• Changing your passwords

  Changing your Auburn University passwords is simple. Log into MyAccount (http://www.auburn.edu/myaccount).
• Logging into Auburn Windows Domain resources

  Logging into Auburn Windows Domain resources from a computer that is off-campus.

  

  The login window may have either two or three blank fields, as shown above. If there is a Domain field, it can be left blank.

• Verifying your username and password

  To verify your username and password:

  1. Click on this link: https://fp.auburn.edu/oit/password
     
  2. Type in your username with auburn\ in front and then enter your OIT password.
  3. You should see a page that says
     
     

  Verified!

  your username and password are active, working properly, and you have properly logged in.

Last Updated: Jan. 12, 2012