Summary:      MAC ID passwords established before February 19, 2013 should be changed, even if the current password meets the new standard.

McMaster is committed to ensuring the security of the University's information systems and passwords which are an important element of the University's security mechanisms. An audit of McMaster determined that the password policies within the McMaster network should be strengthened. Therefore, as of February 19, 2013, the ADS domain began enforcing new password complexity requirements. Further, MAC ID passwords will now expire after 12 months.

MAC ID passwords for employees, retirees and alumni established before February 19, 2013 should be changed, even if the current password meets the new standard.

 

Note that saved MAC ID passwords should be cleared prior to changing the password to prevent an account lockout. An account will be locked after six wrong attempts within a 10 minute window for 30 minutes.  If an account is locked out, please contact the Service Desk at extension 24357 to unlock the account. Email programs and Wi-Fi connections on both computers and smartphones are common applications with saved passwords.

 

To change a password use the MAC ID Password tool at: https://adweb.cis.mcmaster.ca/cis/macidpwchange

 

Password Complexity Requirements:

1.            MAC ID Password must be a minimum of eight characters in length

2.            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 ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) _ + ` - = { } | ] [ \ : " ; < > ? , . / '

3.            Do not use any of your last five passwords

4.            Password cannot contain your account name or parts of your full name

 

To ease this transition UTS is working to proactively communicate the change to end users. We are first working with the Campus Technology Liaisons to inform and assist users. Subsequently, there will be an article posted on the Daily News.  To prevent appearing as a "phishing scam", UTS is not sending out direct email to users.

MAC ID provides authentication services to more than 50 applications such as the campus Wi-Fi network, UnivMail, McAuth, and the VPN.

 

 

 

University Technology Services thanks you for your cooperation and understanding.

 

If you have any questions or concerns, or experience any problems

please contact the UTS Service Desk at

uts@mcmaster.ca or ext. 2-HELP (24357)