Office of Information Technology

Your NetID, Password, and E-mail Account

Now that your computer is hooked up, you must enter your NetID and Password. These were given to you when you were admitted to UT. Your NetID and Password are somewhat like having two keys to open your front door (one for the lock and one for the deadbolt). You will be asked to enter your NetID and Password as often as you use UT’s online resources, so it is a good idea to understand what they are and how they are used.

Connecting Your Computer to the UT Network

When you open your Web browser, a dialog box will appear asking for you to type in your NetID and Password:
NetID [text box to type into]
Password [text box to type into]
By typing them into the text boxes and selecting “Enter,” you log on and gain access to UT’s computing network.

NOTE: When you are asked to enter your NetID, you are being asked to type in the portion of your e-mail address that comes before @utk.edu or @tennessee.edu.

If You Forget Your NetID

To get your NetID, go to any official UT Web page (the main page address is http://www.utk.edu), and at the top type in your name in the “Enter Search Terms” box, then, in the “Select Type of Search,” select “People Search,” finally click on “Go.”

NOTE: UT is your Internet service provider (ISP) and you must enter your NetID to gain access from your personal computer. If you have forgotten your NetID, to find it you must use a computer that already has access to the Internet—a friend’s, roommate’s, a lab computer—or call the HelpDesk 974–9900.

Changing Your Password

You should change your initial default password as soon as possible, since it might be relatively easy to guess.

Visit http://accounts.utk.edu/your-netid.html for more information

Password, Do’s and Don’ts

Put some thought into how you want to formulate your password, as you will be required to change your password every 180 days.

Passwords must have a minimum of 8 characters and may use (1) uppercase letters, (2) lowercase letters, (3) numbers, and (4) punctuation and/or special characters (such as “!” or “$”). Passwords must contain a mixture of at least three out of four of these elements. Avoid dates, social security numbers, phone numbers, birthdays, and names of family members—anything that might be relatively easy for someone else to guess.

You might want to use an acronym for a familiar phrase or jingle. This will make it easier for you to remember but can produce a seemingly random string of characters. Here are some examples of phrase-based passwords:
     P!dhoTUW = PLEASE! don’t hang out THE UPPER WINDOWS
     dwydICT! = drop what you’re doing: ICE CREAM TRUCK!
     SSPmbe2r = SLIGHTLY SILLY PHRASES may be easier 2 remember





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