My UniKey password
- How do I change my UniKey password?
- What are the rules for creating an acceptable UniKey password?
- How do I come up with a new password?
- How long does it take for my new password to take effect?
- What happens if I have forgotten my password?
- What does ‘synchronise my password’ mean?
- What do I do if I try to synchronise my password and it doesn't work?
How do I change my UniKey password?
To change your password click here. This page can also be accessed by clicking 'Change my password' on the menu.
What are the rules for creating an acceptable UniKey password?
Creating a password that is difficult to guess improves the security of your account. Your new UniKey password must:
- contain both upper and lower case letters and at least one number
- be between six and eight characters
- not contain non-English characters, the ampersand character (&) or the 'less than' character (<), and
- not be based on an English word or contain your UniKey.
Password tip: To create a strong password that is easy to remember think of a phrase that you will remember and use the first letters of each word as charaters in your password. For example if the phrase is "This May Be One Way To Remember" the password could be: "TmB1w2R!".
For more details about UniKey password requirements see the University of Sydney Information Security Policy.
Creating a new password that is easy to remember can be tricky.
One technique that is often use a word and substitute certain vowels and letters for numbers. For example babyhood becomes babyh00d - where you exchange the letter 'o' with the number '0'). This technique is okay but attackers know about this and including these sorts of subsitutions when they try attempt to hack into accounts.
A better technique is to choose a phrase and then use the first letters of the phrase then combine this with some substitions. For example the phrase "A stitch in time saves nine" becomes could be changed into Asits9. or A#its9.
More examples are provided below to help you think of a unique password based on a phrase that you will remember:
| Phrase | Example password |
|---|---|
| Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti | dRmf5lt |
| My wife bakes delicious fudge cake! | Mw6dfc! |
| Each to his own | Ea2hiowN |
| this is a great password | [t1agPw] |
| I am always late for work | {1aAlfw} |
Please do not use any of the examples listed above.
How long does it take for my new password to come into effect?
It will take at least 15 minutes for your new password to be active across systems that synchronise with your UniKey account. You may need to use your previous password if you want to use some systems before this time has passed.
Each time you change your UniKey password you will need to update the password that is stored on any peripheral devices such as your mobile phone in order for your device to synchronise with your Exchange email account. Guides for the two commonly used mobile phones are available on the links below:
Some local applications and web-based systems may not synchronise with your UniKey password and will need to be changed manually by contacting the administrator of that system. More information about systems that require UniKey login is available here.
What happens if I have forgotten my password?
If you have forgotten your UniKey or Faculty password, you can have your password reset over the phone by contacting the ICT Helpdesk on 935 16000. You will be asked for your staff ID, your date of birth and your department in order to confirm your identity.
If your account details are not complete or are incorrect then you will not be able to have your password reset over the phone. To add or correct your details you will need to contact your HR relationship manager. Instead of resetting it over the phone, the Helpdesk can post a new password out to your registered address.
If you do not want to have your password posted out then you can visit an ICT Access Lab (bring some photo ID) where they will reset your password for you on the spot.
What does 'synchronise my password' mean?
Synchronising your password allows you to ensure that your UniKey password is the same across all different systems and the one password is used if you have multiple UniKey accounts.
You may need to if:
- you know what your password is but you cannot log into one system when you know your password works for everything else
- you have multiple accounts and you know a password for one of your accounts and not the other. Synchronising your password will change the password across all other accounts to the same one as the one that you know.
- you have just been migrated onto to Exchange system and you need to synchronise your password with that system.
To synchronise your password click here. This page can also be accessed by clicking 'Synchronise my password' on the menu.
What do I do if I try to synchronise my password and it doesn't work?
If you have a secondary UniKey account and you know the password of that account you try to use your second UniKey and password to synchronise across all of your accounts.
If you have tried to synchronise your password several times and receive the message that the UniKey password you entered is incorrect you will need to be issued with a new UniKey password.
To do this you will need to either contact your Master User, request a new password over the phon by contacting the ICT Helpdesk or visit us at an ICT Access Lab (make sure you bring photo identification).