Protect yourself and the university against malicious Internet activity. Read some helpful hints to a more secure computing experience below:

• IT will never send an email asking users for their user names and passwords. Do not ever give your password out in email.
• Avoid leaving your laptop unattended.
• Recognize email phishing scams; remember to use https versions of websites when possible, versus answering blind emails.
• Be weary of clicking on website “pop-ups”.

Security Policies:

• Wireless Airspace Policy
• Active Directory Policy
• Appropriate Use Policy
• Copyright Infringement Policy
• Email Communications Policy
• Electronic Communications Policy

Please click here for an updated list of Virus threats

Suggestions for changing (and managing!) passwords

1. Do not share your passwords with anyone!
2. Don’t use a personal reference for your password. If everyone knows you dog’s name is Fido, that’s not a strong password!
3. Having a combination of upper and lower case letters and numbers makes a password stronger.  Eight characters or longer is recommended.
4. Use mnemonics to create a difficult password that is easy for you to remember. For example, “Follow the yellow brick road” translates into Ftybr. If you happened to act in that play in 2005, you could make your password 20ftybr05 for an extremely strong password. You can apply this to sports, awards, etc. as well.
5. On line banking passwords should be changed more often than other passwords. This rule applies to any account you feel vital and critical.
6. Don’t use the same password repetitively-if one is discovered, you don’t want all your accounts compromised.
7. Do not store passwords where they can be easily found. Under your keyboard or on your cell phone are not safe places!
8. If you need a password changed by an administrator, change the temporary  password immediately after.

To change your password:

1. Open your web browser
2. Type in myid.rwu.edu
3. Click on the appropriate picture: “Administration and Staff” or “Faculty and Students”
4. Follow the directions to:

• Enroll: Enroll yourself with SMOP. First time users should go here. The process is very simple and should take no more than a few minutes.
• Update Enrollment: After you have enrolled, you can update your enrollment here and change answers to your security questions or change the security questions.
• Reset Password: Go here if you have forgotten your password and need to reset to a new password.
• Unlock Account: Go here if your account is locked out and you would like to keep your existing password.
• Change Password: You may change your network login password by clicking here. 

You may select the Help button on the upper right hand side for more information and assistance.

Posted January 6, 2012
Social spam has struck Facebook users in Europe, forcing them to change their passwords. According to security vendor Seculert, tens of thousands of Facebook accounts have been hacked. The worm enters Facebook accounts and steals their names and passwords. Once collected, the victim’s Facebook account is accessed by the criminal and a malicious link is posted on their page for all their friends to click on. Once clicked, the worm will begin infecting another users computer.  Facebook said it has begun working with their external partners to add protections to their anti-virus systems to help users secure their devices. “People can protect themselves by never clicking on strange links and reporting any suspicious activity they encounter on Facebook,” a Facebook spokesperson said.

For questions on passwords or security, please contact the RWU Technical helpdesk at 401-254-5200.