Forgot My Password

To change your password if either you don’t remember your old one,
or your account has been locked because your password was too easy
to guess:

1. First: Submit an online password reset request:

   1. Step 1: Run the account program.
      On any CCIS Linux computer in the college, login as account, and give a password of account. You may do this in the lab, or over a network connection. If you connect over the network, we recommend that you connect to login.ccs.neu.edu via SSH.
   2. Step 2: Select the option to change your password.
      Pick a new password. For most people, this is only going to be a temporary password, because it will only work on the Linux machines (and for some services like email); you’ll need to change it again to use the Windows machines or (if you’re a CCIS major or grad student) CCIS wireless networking.




2. Then: Verify your identity to the Systems group.
   • Either: In person (Preferred)
     Come up to the systems office in 310 WVH in the afternoon with your NU ID, driver’s license or other official identification (such as a passport or military ID card), and we will activate the password you just chose.
   • Or: Remotely (Alternate)
     If you can’t come to the systems offices during our open hours, you may verify your identity by sending us a document with a copy of a valid photo ID (as defined above) and a signed statement saying that you wish to change your password. We will contact you to verify the request, then will change your password. It’s good to include a phone number and/or email address where we can reach you with your request. Your reset request may be:

     1. Preferred: Scanned and emailed to systems@ccs.neu.edu OR
     2. Alternate: If you do not have access to a scanner, you may use one of the following alternate methods. If you use one of these methods, please also send email to systems@ccs.neu.edu to let us know to look for your fax or letter (please let us know which):
        • Faxed to us at 617-373-5121
        • Sent via US Post or other parcel delivery service to The College’s mailing address, “Attention: Systems Group”

     Whatever transport mechanism you use, please make sure that your request (including Photo ID) is legible. Fax machines often blend dark surfaces into one unreadable whole, and names on Northeastern Husky Cards are often completely swallowed in a sea of black by the time the images get to us.

     When submitting a remote password reset request, please indicate the machine on which you ran the account program.

NOTE: Changing your password this way only changes it on the Linux machines, not on the Windows machines. To create a new password that works on both the Linux and Windows machines, once you have reset it as described above, change it again on a Linux machine using the normal passwd command. That needs to be typed in a terminal window; to open a terminal on our Linux machines, choose Applications > Accessories > Terminal from the menu.

If your account was disabled because it was too easy to guess, it
will be re-enabled when we activate your new password.