The Help Desk will be closed during Thanksgiving Break, so here is one important tip that could save you a lot of trouble if you forget your password: set up your security questions so you can reset your UMW password yourself!

This past summer, we added a new service called self-service password reset.  By setting up your security questions, if you forget your UMW password you can reset it by answering the questions instead of contacting Help Desk staff. You only need to set up your security questions once, so if you previously set up your security questions, you don’t need to do it again.   If your have not, are unsure, or want to change your questions, here are the steps:

SETTING UP OR CHANGING YOUR SECURITY QUESTIONS:

1. Before you start, you need to know your current NetID and password.  If you don’t know this, you must contact the Help Desk for assistance (540-654-2255 or visit us in ITCC Room 112).
2. Go to password.umw.edu and click the “Manage Your Security Questions” link.
3. In the login box that pops up, enter your current UMW NetID and Password.
4. On the Password Registration page, click the “Next” button.
5. Enter you current password and click “Next.”
6. Answer at least five of the questions presented and click “Register.” (NOTE: it is always better to choose questions that many others don’t already know the answer to.) A confirmation screen will appear when registration is complete.

Once you have your security questions set up, you can then use them to reset your password when needed:

RESETTING YOUR PASSWORD USING YOUR SECURITY QUESTIONS:

1. Go to password.umw.edu and click the “Forgot Your UMW Password?” link
2. Answer all three of the questions presented to you and click “Next.”
3. On the Password Reset page, enter a new password twice, then click “Next” to complete the process.
   • NOTE:  You must follow these password complexity rules for your new password:
     • At least 8 characters including one upper case, one lower case, and one numeral
     • You cannot use these symbols:  @  %   *
     • The password cannot contain your NetID
     • The password cannot contain part of your full name that exceeds two consecutive characters
     • You cannot reuse any of your last 24 passwords

If you need assistance with this process, contact the Help Desk during our regular business hours:

Call us:  540-654-2255
Stop by:  IT Convergence Center – Room 112

The Help Desk will operate the following hours this week:

Monday and Tuesday: 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Sunday:  CLOSED for Thanksgiving Break – (a long time to be without access if you don’t set up your security questions!)

Regular hours resume on Monday, Dec. 1 at 8 a.m.

I wish you a safe and enjoyable break,

Jerry Slezak
IT Support Services