Frequently Asked Questions for Adelphi Students
General Questions
- What is a portal?
- How does the MyUMUC portal benefit me?
- Will more functions be added to the portal?
- Why do I have to use Internet Explorer with MyUMUC
Login/Password
- Do I need an e-mail address?
- Why do I need to change my password?
- How can I create a good, "strong" password?
- What should I avoid when creating a password?
- If I have a strong password, why should I have to keep changing it?
- How often should I change my password?
- Can someone change my password for me over the phone?
- Someone just e-mailed me asking for my password. What should I do?
- Can I tell others what my password is?
- Is it safe to send my login/password through e-mail?
- Will I still have to use my current login for services like library and WebTycho?
Change Password
- How do I change my password?
- How long after I have changed my password does my new one become valid?
- Why am I getting a message saying that my user ID is suspended?
- I'm trying to log into my account, and it keeps telling me that my login ID or password is incorrect. What should I do?
Reset Password
Technical Support
- What if I need help using the portal?
- How can I provide feedback on the portal and perhaps assist with future usability testing?
General Questions
A portal is a turbo-charged Web site. With more power and speed than a standard Web site, a portal gathers all the online applications you're used to getting into one convenient URL.
With
a portal, you will have secure
access to everything you need.
Often portals integrate software
applications into Web applications.
Using MyUMUC, for example, you
can search class-record databases
online. Web technology is ever-evolving,
so being a member of a portal community
is indeed an exciting journey!
2. How does the MyUMUC portal benefit me?
MyUMUC offers not only the power of a portal, but also many flexible features. With MyUMUC, you can:
- Get news and university announcements on the MyUMUC home page
- Check your financial aid status, pay your bill, register for classes, view your grades, and more
- Easily navigate the portal with conveniently located top UMUC links and MyUMUC tabs
3. Will more functions be added to the portal?
The
MyUMUC project is growing in phases.
And MyUMUC will grow with you during
your career at the university. Upgrades will be announced on the MyUMUC "Announcements" section.
4. Why do I have to use Internet Explorer with MyUMUC?
Internet Explorer has proven to be the most reliable browser for our system. While other browsers may appear to work with MyUMUC, we cannot ensure the most current information is being displayed. In addition, you may encounter limited functionality if another browser is used. You can download Internet Explorer at:
Login/Password
1. Do I need an e-mail address?
An e-mail address is required to access the portal. Your student ID for the portal (also referred to as an EmplID) will be sent through e-mail once you are in the UMUC system. You will need an e-mail account to log in to the system.
2. Why do I need to change my password?
You may be required to change your password to prevent unauthorized access to your account. If you do not change your password regularly, your account may not be secure.
3. How can I create a good, "strong" password?
Passwords must be "strong" to stand up to hackers and spies on the Internet. When creating a new password, take into account the following guidelines for "strong passwords":
- Passwords must be seven or more characters in length and have at least one uppercase letter. Include both letters (A-Z) as well as numbers (0-9).
- The alphabetic portion of a password, taken as a whole, may not be a dictionary word, a proper name, or your initials.
- You can use a phrase to generate a good password. For example, in "I Love to Eat Hotdogs Everyday," use the first letters of the phrase, iltehe. Then apply capitalization, and substitute punctuation or numbers for letters. Your password might then be Il2e!E.
- You can also use a common word as a seed for a password. By itself, "hotdog" makes a horrible password, but if you apply some of the tricks above (capitalization, punctuation, and misspellings) the result is a much better password: H0t!daWg.
- You
can also use a word, but substitute
numbers for some of the letters.
For example, by replacing the
vowels with the number 7 in the
word "Spiderman," the
password could be Sp7d7rm7n.
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4. What should I avoid when creating a password?
- Do not use your user name, first name, or last name. If your name and user name are stored in the password file, many password-cracking programs use this information to generate possible password combinations. Do not use anyone's first name or last name. Many password-cracking programs have large name databases and can easily guess passwords based on names. Names of friends, relatives, fictional characters, etc., are commonly associated with an individual and do not make good passwords.
- Passwords that use patterns on the keyboard (e.g., qwerty) are not secure. Although such passwords are easily typed, they are also easily guessed.
- Words spelled backward don't make secure passwords. Most cracking programs try both the forward and backward representation of words in their databases, so passwords of this nature are not secure.
- Substituting 1s and 0s for l's and o's is not enough to make a good password. Password-cracking programs have rule sets designed to break passwords that substitute numbers for letters they resemble. Similarly, passwords such as 2Good4U, although cute, are not really secure either.
- Do not simply use a word followed or preceded by a number as a password. A common password-guessing algorithm adds numbers to the front or back of a dictionary word, so passwords of this form are easily cracked.
- Do not use English or foreign dictionary words as passwords. Password-cracking programs have large dictionaries, including foreign-language ones, that they use to guess passwords.
- Never use a password that has been cited as an example of a "good" password on a Web site.
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5. If I have a strong password, why should I have to keep changing it?
Changing your password frequently will add another layer of security. The longer the same password is linked to a user ID on the Internet, the greater the likelihood that someone knows or can guess it. If you think someone knows your password, change it immediately. You should protect your password as carefully as you do the PIN for your bank card. Do not write your password where someone else using your workstation could easily find it.
6. How often should I change my password?
You should change your password at least once every three to six months. You may change your password more frequently if you wish, but you should not try to change your password more than once within 24 hours.
7. Can someone change my password for me over the phone?
No. You can only change your password by following the instructions provided from the "Login Assistant/Password Help" link located on the MyUMUC homepage.
8. Someone just e-mailed me asking for my password. What should I do?
Do not give it to them. No one representing UMUC will ever ask you to disclose your password by e-mail or over the phone. If someone does do this, do not respond. Instead, send an e-mail to security@umuc.edu and make sure we know about it. We will deal with the offending party.
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9. Can I tell others what my password is?
No. Don't tell anyone your password, not even if he or she claims to be a system administrator. Sharing passwords is a violation of UMUC policy. If someone to whom you had provided your password were to use your account in an inappropriate manner, you could be held responsible for those actions.
10. Is it safe to send my ID/password through e-mail?
No. You should never include your password in an e-mail message. Programs can spy on traffic sent over the Internet, and if you send out a message with your password in it, it could be intercepted. Your account would then be compromised. Also, remember that you should never share your ID and password with anyone.
11. Will I still have to use my current login for services like the library and WebTycho?
Yes. While we are working toward the goal of single authentication, currently, you need to use your existing login information for WebTycho and Library Services.
Change Password
1. How do I change my password?
Students can easily obtain a new password by selecting the "Login Assistant/Password Help" link located in the log in box of on the MyUMUC homepage. Help instructions will be provided from this link.
Please note that faculty do not have the ability to retrieve their password at this time and should contact the Help Desk for assistance at 1-877-UMUC-TIP (877-868-2847); Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. (ET).
2. How long after I have changed my password does my new one become valid?
Your new password should be valid within a few minutes. If you test your account and it does not work, return a few minutes later. If the new password still doesn't work, you should call 1-877-UMUC-TIP (877-868-2847); Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. (ET).
Please keep in mind that the system allows you (or someone else who may be trying to break into your account) three attempts at logging in with an invalid password.
3. Why am I getting a message that my user ID is suspended?
The system allows you (or someone else who may be trying to break into your account) three attempts at logging in with an invalid password. Then it suspends your account, which could be the reason that you are getting the message. If you find that your account has been suspended, call 1-877-UMUC-TIP (877-868-2847); Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. (ET).
4. I'm trying to log into my account, but the system keeps telling me that my ID or password is incorrect. What should I do?
Try logging in again, making sure that you have typed your user ID and password correctly. Your MyUMUC username and password care case sensitive. Check to see if caps lock is on, and if it is, turn it off so your password won't be typed using all capital letters.
Also, be sure you typed your new ID code correctly. If logging in is still a problem, call 1-877-UMUC-TIP (877-868-2847); Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. (ET).
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Reset Password
1. I forgot my password. How can I get a new password?
Students can easily obtain a new password by selecting the "Login Assistant/Password Help" link located in the log in box of on the MyUMUC homepage. Help instructions will be provided from this link.
Please note that faculty do not have the ability to retrieve their password at this time and should contact the Help Desk for assistance at 1-877-UMUC-TIP (877-868-2847); Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. (ET).
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Technical Support
1. What if I need help using the portal?
Here are the "Help" options available to you:
- Under MyAcademics, click View My Assigned Advisor to contact your advisor.
- Call the Help Desk at 1-877-UMUC-TIP (877-868-2847); Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-10 p.m. (ET).
For a fast and prompt resolution, please provide as much of the following additional information as possible:
- Your computer type (PC or Mac)
- Your computer’s operating system (i.e. Windows 98, 2000, XP)
- Your browser and version (i.e. Microsoft Internet Explorer - SP1)
- Your geographic location (state if in U.S., or city and country if overseas)
- Your relation with UMUC (i.e. faculty, staff, student)
2. How can I provide feedback on the portal and perhaps assist with future usability testing?
We would like to hear from you if you have suggestions or would like to be involved in future testing. Just send us a message via the Feedback in the upper right-hand corner of your portal.