Category Archives: Passwords

Information Security, Passwords

Password Managers: Overview

Table of Contents:

 

What is a Password Manager?

A service or feature that stores and autofills your credentials.

LITS highly recommends using a dedicated password manager service, rather than one built-in to a browser.
Why? How are they different? (Click me!)

 

Dedicated password managers typically make their Security Model clear, advertising that your passwords are thoroughly encrypted both during storage and usage.

Additionally, they come with a multitude of other security features such as automatic logout, two-factor authentication, password generators, and more. Some even have mobile apps!

Read more at NYTimes.com.

Common Features

  • Securely store usernames, passwords, and other information
  • Automatically store newly created accounts
  • Securely autofill credentials when logging in
  • Generate unique, complex, secure passwords

 

How do I use a Password Manager?

The following is a generalization and may not apply to all managers.
The following screenshots were taken from LastPass.
  • Passwords are stored in a centralized Vault
  • The Vault is accessed via desktop…

    …or mobile
  • The Vault is unlocked with a master password
  • Logging into a new website prompts the manager to automatically store the credentials
  • Stored credentials will autofill when you login into that site

 

Popular Options


LastPass
1Password

Dashlane
Bitwarden

See how they compare

 

Questions?

If you have any additional questions or problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Help Desk!

Phone: 610-526-7440
Email: help@brynmawr.edu
Location: Canaday Library 1st Floor

Information Security, Passwords

Setup & Update Your College Password

Before you start, you may need access to the following:

  • a laptop/desktop computer with internet access
  • an email from help@brynmawr.edu with your College username

 

First-time Account Setup

Receive an email from help@brynmawr.edu with your College username Call the Help Desk at 610-526-7440 or drop by Canaday Library Login with your new account, setup Duo, and review our Welcome guide

 

Changing your College Password

Off-Campus and using a Windows College computer?
(Click me!)
  1. Open the Pulse Secure VPN client
  2. Connect to the VPN and double-check you are connected
  3. Navigate to password.brynmawr.edu
  4. Enter your College username, click Submit
  5. Enter your current College password, click Submit
  6. Enter a new password and re-enter it to confirm
    Be sure your password fits length & complexity requirements!
  7. Click Submit
  8. Disconnect from the Pulse Secure VPN
  9. Connect to the Pulse Secure VPN with your new password
  10. Verify you can login to College resources (e.g. Webmail or Moodle) with your new password
  11. Click the Windows Start Menu, your Profile icon, and Lock

  12. Login with your new password
  13. Skip the instructions listed below
  1. Navigate to password.brynmawr.edu
  2. Enter your College username, click Submit
  3. Enter your current College password, click Submit
  4. Enter a new password and re-enter it to confirm
    Be sure your password fits length & complexity requirements!
  5. Click Submit

 

Questions?

If you have any additional questions or problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Help Desk!

Phone: 610-526-7440
Email: help@brynmawr.edu
Location: Canaday Library 1st Floor

Information Security, Passwords

Password Safety

Your College password allows you access to and ensures the protection of many on-campus services. It locks your computer which, when you log in, gives you access not only to the hard drive, but also your network drives, including your personal drive and any departmental or shared folders to which you have access. It keeps others out of your email and calendar, protecting your communications, personal data and address book. The tips provided here will help keep your password, and therefore your information, safe.

Anyone who has access to your password can access any Bryn Mawr College system you have access to, putting you at risk. You are legally liable for anything that is done through your account, even if you were not present.

Giving people (sometimes unintentional) access to your accounts exposes you to a risk of identity theft, snooping, or taking actions on your behalf.

To keep your password safe, observe the following guidelines:

  1. Use a password that is difficult for people to guess.
  2. We recommend the use of passphrases — whole sentences complete with punctuation (but no spaces). These are more secure than normal passwords and easier to remember.
  3. If your password must be written down, store it in a secure (locked) place.
  4. Do not share your password with anyone. This includes family, friends and coworkers. If it feels like you must, ask us — there is always another solution.
  5. If you think anyone else has access to your password, change it immediately.
  6. Be careful about saving passwords on your computer. Not all programs keep your passwords in a secure location, and saving passwords in them can compromise your security. If you don’t know how the program saves your password, don’t save it.
  7. Always lock your computer when you leave it, and log out of any public computers. Staying logged in on an unlocked computer is the same as giving your password to anyone who walks by.

What are some safe options for sharing data with other community members?

  • You can request a shared network folder where you and the individuals you identify can share files without allowing others to have access to this information and without sharing your own credentials.
    • Upon request (and sometimes with a bit of paperwork) research assistants, volunteers, student workers and Haverford and Swarthmore community members can take part in these services.
  • Place email to be shared within a folder and share that folder with others.

Note: Sharing your Bryn Mawr College password with anyone (including family and friends) is a violation of the Acceptable Use Policy.

General Assistance, Passwords

Things to Know Before Going Away

If you will be leaving the college temporarily, be it for going on leave, sabbatical, or time abroad, there are certain things that you should know to prepare for your trip. Here you will find information you will need in order to prepare for your leave, as well as pertinent information for while you are away. If you have any questions that are not answered by the documentation, please contact the Help Desk at (610) 526-7440 or help@brynmawr.edu so that we can assist you.

Going on Leave: Sabbatical
Title: Going on Leave: Sabbatical (0 click)
Caption:
Filename: sabbatical_0616.pdf
Size: 359 KB
Going on Leave: Study Abroad
Title: Going on Leave: Study Abroad (0 click)
Caption:
Filename: studyabroad_0616.pdf
Size: 424 KB