(Note: Don't have time to read all this? Use the CITES Password Quick Help Guide. For a more thorough understanding of the passwords, please continue to read below.)

Incoming students at the U of I are often confused by the numerous logins and passwords required to use campus computing facilities.

Unfortunately the computing facilities are run by different organizations and departments on campus, using a wide variety of computers and software, so there is no way to avoid the problem right now. There have been some steps toward a common campus-wide authentication method, so there is hope. For now, though, we're all faced with remembering numerous passwords.

This list covers the passwords most commonly used by CTER students. There are many other password-protected systems on campus, however, and you may encounter others in the future.

The instructions below will help you maintain and change your own passwords through web-based interfaces. Note that no one can tell you your passwords, though the organizations in charge can reset your passwords.

We hope that this document will help you navigate through the password jungle. If you have any questions, email us at cter-tech-l@listserv.illinois.edu.

• NetID Password: Sometimes called "Bluestem password". This is the the big one. If you know your NetID password you can change (most of) your other passwords. It is very important to keep this password secure. Someone with this password can not only change your other passwords, he or she may be able to access your student records, sign you up for (or withdraw you from) classes, charge things to your student account, and various other nasty things. This password is issued to you along with your NetID by CITES when you first become a U of I student. As a side-note, you will be reminded via email to reset your NetID password once a year.
  • What if I forget? If you forget your NetID password, you're in a world of hurt. You will have to show up in person (with photo ID) at the CITES office to get it reset. Off-campus students can use the following faxed documentation to reset their NetID password.
  • You can avoid this inconvenience by setting up security questions. Once you set up your security questions, you can use this option to reset your NetID password if you forget it. To set up your security questions go to this site below (highly recommended): https://netidpassword.uiuc.edu/index.html
  • If you just want to change your NetID password (which we recommend doing on a regular basis), go to the CITES password change page and click on the website link for NetworkID. Of course you won't be able to do this unless you already know the NetID password.
• Cites Express Email Password: This password is used to access your student email account, whether through Webmail or a POP3 email client such as Eudora or Outlook Express.
  • What if I forget? Go to the CITES password change page and click on the website link for Express Email. You will need to know your NetID password to make the change. Note that this will take you to a page which offers to change many of your passwords. Be sure to check the box next to Express Email, as well as entering new passwords.
• Enterprise Password: This password is used for U of I Integrate (a.k.a. Banner) for registering for courses, viewing class schedules & grades, accessing statements, and changing personal information.
  • What if I forget? Go to U of I Enterprise Applications page and click on the blue link that says obtain your EnterpriseID and set up your Enterprise Password. You will need to know your NetID password.
• Active Directory (AD) Password: This password is used for many Windows-related networking tasks. For CTER students, it's most commonly used to access your web folder and NetFiles.
  • What if I forget? Go to Active Directory Account Services and reset your AD password. Again, you will need to know your NetID password.
• CTER-Supported Applications including Moodle, WikED, and other web-enabled database applications.
  • What if I forget? CTER runs and maintains Moodle and WikED, and we have administrative access to all of them. If you forget your password, you can email CTER Technical Support and we'll be happy to reset it for you. Note that we can't reset your NetID, Email, or Active Directory passwords.

Also see this information from CITES on choosing and managing your passwords.

Document created by Tony Hursh, June 10, 2002
Updated by Doe-Hyung Kim, February 11, 2004, November 14, 2006, November 21, 2007, May 5, 2008)