Change Your UNIX Password

Change Your UNIX Password

In the event that you forget your password or never received it, you may change your own password by using the "chgpass" program. At the login prompt type chgpass. The system will then prompt you for your social security number and your PIN number. If you do not know your PIN number, call one of the following.

Students: 301-985-7268
Faculty: 240-582-2600

Here’s an example of what you will see on the screen:

Login: chgpass
Last login: Wed Apr 16 21:53:30 from 131.171.20.130
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Please enter your Student ID number (without dashes)
Please enter your PIN (it will not be displayed when you type it)

(Faculty use Social Security number in place of Student ID number.)

You will be given a temporary password. You will get an expired password warning. It will ask you for the current password. The current password is the same as the temporary password you have just typed. Once you type in the current password, you will be asked to enter a new password. Your new password must be between six and eight characters long and contain at least one number. It should be something that you can easily remember without writing it down.

Note: If you are using the Tycho Client and you make a mistake when typing in your login or password, press <Shift>-<Backspace> to delete any characters that appear.

Here's an example of the change password screen:

Login: gmayo
Password: y4u9p5h6

Password has expired
Please enter CURRENT password
Password: y4u9p5h6

Please enter new password
New Password: tyra32
Verify Password: tyra32