How do I keep my Account and Password secure?

Please change your password every sixty days and keep your password between 8 and 22 characters. All passwords are CAsE-seNsiTIve. You should safeguard your password so no one has unauthorized access to your account or the Hillsdale College campus network. Your password is already highly secure, so that the only weak link is how you use it. You should never share your password with anyone, never write it down, and change it periodically.

See Password Security for further security measures and password creation ideas.

When using a PC machine, press Ctrl + Alt +Delete simultaneously and select "Lock Computer" your computer each time that you step away from your desk. When you are using a Hillsdale College owned computer, be sure to wait and make sure that the log off process is successful. Sometimes, if you've left programs running and attempt to shut down, boxes will pop up asking if you want to save your work before you log off. If you leave your computer without verifying a complete shut down an unauthorized person can just hit "Cancel" to abort the log off; resulting in total access to your files.

How can I secure my files?

Information stored on Hillsdale College servers is protected and allows access only to those that have been granted permission through network security. In addition to being physically secure, these files are also backed up every night and can be retrieved for up to 22 days in the event that they are accidentally deleted from the shared drive. Any files stored on your personal computer (C drive), are not backed up automattically on the server and are not neccessarily secure. Anyone browsing the network can see information that you have on your hard drive and a person could delete or change your files. It is highly recommended that you store all data on the network drives (P, S, R, and T). To request server space or learn more about these options see Network Storage

What can you do to help?

Passwords, like the keys to your front door, provide security only if handled properly. Network and systems administrators can enhance security through the use of advanced security features (such as firewalls, encryption and authentication), but ultimate responsibility comes back to you, the end user.