Managing Your Passwords in Nebula

While Nebula is designed to be easy to use, it is a complex network involving several different computer systems. Many of these systems require passwords, but they do not all share the same password. For simplicity, we recommend that people set all of their passwords to the same thing. It's a little like having locks on several doors in your home: you can set them all to use the same key, but they remain separate locks. When you change the lock (password) on one door, you need to change it everywhere.

The systems that require passwords are:

UW NetID
- This password controls access to your email, whether PC Pine, Webpine, or Homer Pine, as well as UW services such as MyUW and the Employee Self Services.
Nebula
- This allows you to log into a Nebula computer.
Administrative Applications
- This gives you access to HEPPS, PAS, FIN, SDB, etc.
Other programs
- This includes Wheels, Vitcos, etc.

Click here if you don't remember your password.

Choosing a Password

Each system has restrictions on what you can use for a password. This is done to make sure users pick passwords which are difficult to guess. If you follow the guidelines for selecting a UW NetID password when picking a password for any of these systems, you should be OK.

Your password should:

Include uppercase and lowercase letters.
Be difficult for others to guess (see the tip below).
Be betwen 8 and 14 characters long.
Include numbers and/or symbols, such as !@#$%^, within the body of the password (not the first or last character).

It is very important to choose a password that cannot be guessed easily. Intruders can and do use software programs that are designed to find easy-to-match password strings very quickly. They then could gain access to email, file servers, and university databases posing as you, with the privileges you have.

Therefore, it is important that you DO NOT choose passwords such as:

raccoon1 (This is a dictionary word followed by a number.)
1raccoon (This is a number followed by a dictionary word.)
js435 (Initials followed by a number)
49johns (Number followed by name and initial)

The goal is to have a password string that is not easily guessed by someone who knows something about you, or by a software program that can match against dictionary words or number strings. Tip: To create a password that is easy to remember, use the first letters of a phrase, but not a well-known phrase. Example: "I spent one summer on the Italian Riviera" could translate to IsosotIR or Is1sotIR. The latter is preferred because it contains both letters and numbers. Please ask your Nebula support person if you need advice in choosing a password.

Remember you should NEVER reveal your password to ANY ONE. This includes sending it via email, as email is clear text and easy to read if intercepted.

Changing your passwords

Changing Your UW NetID password

If you know your current UW NetID password:

Connect via a web browser to https://uwnetid.washington.edu/manage/?password
Log in using your current UW NetID password.
At the resulting page, follow the instructions to change your password.
Completely quit all windows of your web browser. (In Internet Explorer 5 in Nebula, choose File-Close for each open window.)

Changing your PC Pine password

PC Pine requires your UW NetID password to open your PC Pine account. It then saves this password for you so you don't need to re-type it. If you change your UW NetID password, PC Pine will ask you to confirm your login name (just hit Enter) and then ask for your password. Enter your new UW NetID password and answer Yes to save it.

Changing Your Nebula Password

Log into Nebula.
Use Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up the Windows Security window.
Click the Change Password button and follow the instructions.

Changing Your Oracle Calendar Password

Start Oracle Calendar.
From the menu bar, choose Tools, then Change password.
Follow the directions in the windows.

Changing Your Administrative Applications Password

Log on using your username, password, and SecurID number.
Choose PASSWORD from the main menu.

Changing Your Password for Other Applications

Log on using your username, password, and SecurID number.
Choose PASSWORD from the main menu.

To get help changing your password

If you don't know your current password for:

UWNet ID: Email help@u or call them Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm at 206-221-5000.
- To avoid this step in the future, set up your secret questions, so you'll be able to verify your identity over the web and set up a new password immediately. Get there from the UW Home Page - MyUW - UW Net ID Services (in Email box, right side) - Change your secret questions. Or use this link .
Nebula: email nebula@u.washington.edu or call your Nebula Support person.
Oracle Calendar: contact Nebula Support.
Administrative applications: send email to is-cstr@u.
Other programs: contact help@u via email, or call 206-221-5000.