Security/Password Related

How do I change my login/Outlook password?

• If you are on a computer on campus you can click Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click on Change Password. 
• If you are off campus or not at your personal computer go to www.western.edu/exchange and login.  Go to Options on the upper right hand corner of the screen.  On the left click on Change Password.

I forgot my voicemail password, what do I do?

Please call IT Services at (970) 943-3123 for assistance.

Can I write down my password if I can't remember it?

If you have a hard time remembering your password, we suggest you change your password to a passphrase that you can easily remember rather than writing it down anywhere. Post-ITs and notes on your desk are serious breaches of security and would act to negate any increased security benefit from a well-conceived secure password. However, if you do need to write your password down in order to remember it, keep the written password in a locked cabinet at all times, and don’t write it down on anything that identifies you, such as a business card.

Why do I have to change my password?

If someone does happen to crack or otherwise find out your password, they may be able to use it without your knowledge. By changing your password regularly, you can minimize the impact of someone using your password and assuming your identity. A second reason to change your password is to shorten the amount of time a malicious individual can attempt to crack your password.

Can I share my password with other people?

We strongly discourage all Western computing users from sharing their password with anyone. If you have a need to share information, please contact IT Services and we can discuss your needs and suggest secure strategies to meet those needs. We can create groups of users and shared services that will meet virtually every need imaginable. You are accountable for all use that may occur during any session that is open under your user ID and password. Please don't share your password, and please log off your computer when you are leaving. The next user should do their work while logged in under their own credentials.

Hints for a strong password

IT Services encourages you to create strong passwords!

General Hints

Make passwords long, 8 characters minimum, twice that much better!
Use variety when choosing letters, numbers, symbols and punctuation.

Things to Avoid

Personal information (birthdate, first/last name, address, phone number)
Sequences or repeated characters (ex. 111 or aaa)
Dictonary words, even those of foriegn languages.
Any part of your username

Example

Think of something meaningful you will remember

ilovewestern

Use both upper and lower case letters

iLOVEwestern

Add punctuation, numbers, and symbols

iL0VEw3t3rn!#

Check it!

Type your new password into a secure password checker and see how it rates.

Add a password to a document - Microsoft Office 2007

This will allow you to encrypt your file and require a password to open the document (Word document, Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentation).

1. Click the Microsoft Office Button , point to Prepare, and then click Encrypt Document.

2. In the Password box, type a password, and then click OK.

3. In the Reenter password box, type the password again, and then click OK.
4. To save the password, save the file.

 

*Please note: If you lose your password, IT Services cannot recover your document.

Remove a password from a document - Microsoft Office 2007

1. Use the password to open the document.
2. Click the Microsoft Office Button , point to Prepare, and then click Encrypt Document.
3. In the Encrypt Document dialog box, in the Password box, delete the encrypted password, and then click OK.
4. Save the file.

*Please note: If you lose your password, IT Services cannot recover your document.

 

Require a password to modify a document - Microsoft Office 2007

In addition to setting a password to open a Word document, you can set a password to allow others to modify the document.

1.  Click the Microsoft Office Button , click Save As, and on the bottom of the Save As dialog, click Tools.

2.  On the Tools menu, click General Options. The General Options dialog opens.

3.  Under File sharing options for this document, in the Password to modify box, type a password.

4.  In the Confirm Password dialog, re-type the password. Click OK.

5.  Click Save.

To remove the password, repeat these instructions and then delete the password from the Password to modify box. Click Save.

*Please note: If you lose your password, IT Services cannot recover your document.

Encrypt a Document with a Password - Microsoft Office 2010

1. Click on File, Info, then click Protect Document.

 

2. Choose the option "Encrypt with Password"
3. In the Password box, type a password, and then click OK.

3. In the Confirm Password dialog box type the password again, and then click OK.
4. To save the password, save the file.

*Please note: If you lose your password, IT Services cannot recover your document.

Remove Password Encryption from a document - Microsoft Office 2010

1. Use the password to open the document.
2. Click on File, Info, then click Protect Document.
3. Click on Encrypt with Password.
4. In the Encrypt Document dialog box, delete the encrypted password, and then click OK.
5. Save the file.

*Please note: if you lose your password, IT Services cannot recover your document.

Require a password to modify a document - Microsoft Office 2010

1. Click on File, Info, Protect Document

2.  Click on Restrict Editing

3.  A bar will appear on the right hand side of your document.  You have the choice to limit formatting, or allow only certain types of editing.  When you are done click on "Yes, Start Enforcing Protection."

4.   Type in a password then click OK.

*Please note: If you forget your password IT Services cannot recover your document.

How do I check my e-mail usage and quota?

Outlook 2007

1) When you are logged in to Outlook, right click on your Mailbox (see below) and then click on Properties.

2)  Click on "Folder Size" at the bottom then look at your total size (including subfolders).  Your maximum alloted size is 1,048,576KB (or 1GB). 

 

Outlook 2010

 1) Click on File

2)  Click on Info and under Cleanup Tools you will be able to see your usage.

 

Exchange/OWA

1) When you are in Exchange (www.western.edu/exchange) or OWA you can find your usage and quota by hovering over your name in the upper left hand corner of the screen.