Last spring, McMaster faculty, staff and students were asked to upgrade their MAC ID passwords.

As McMaster approaches that anniversary, University Technology Services (UTS) reminds systems users that MAC ID passwords expire annually. Passwords upgraded during last spring’s campaign face pending expiration. Users with expired passwords will be unable to use MAC ID services, such as Avenue to Learn and the Wi-Fi network, until they renew them. Users can avoid the surprise of expiration by proactively changing their password.

“All universities face increasing security challenges and strong passwords are one of the tools we can use to protect our personal information and McMaster’s information,” said Richard Godsmark, director of Technology Innovation, Partnerships and Risk Management. “Annually changing your password is a modest step that can help secure your account.”

Before Changing your Password

UTS recommends clearing all saved instances of your MAC ID password before changing it. Saved passwords are often found in, for example, email programs on computers and Wi-Fi logins on smartphones. See UTS’s online guide at: www.mcmaster.ca/uts/macid  for additional advice.

How to Change your MAC ID Password

UTS has prepared an online password change tool at: www.mcmaster.ca/uts/macid. Using this tool, a user can change their password in less than a minute.

Your new MAC ID password must be a minimum of 8 characters in length and must include characters from at least three of the four groups below:

• Uppercase letters: A, B, C, … ,Z
• Lowercase letters: a, b, c, …,z
• Numerals: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
• Symbols: ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + ` – = { } | ] [ \ : ” ; < > ? , . / ‘

Do not use any of your last five previous passwords. Passwords cannot contain your account name or parts of your full name.