Password Security
Please read the Acceptable Use Policy.
Protecting your Smith network password
Your Smith network account provides access to
a vast array of web-based services and information. With the advent of the Smith Portal and synchronized email passwords, your Smith network password serves as the gateway to more, and more valuable, information than ever, including:
- Your Smith email, calendars, contacts, and Google Docs
- Personal information, financial records, and academic data stored in your BannerWeb account
- Pharos printing services
- Access to the Smith's secure wireless networks
- Any files you store on a Smith network server, including Sophia
- Any files you store in your Google Drive
- Assignments, discussion threads, documents, and grades stored in your Moodle account
- Library resources from off-campus and your 5-College library account
The associated risks
Unfortunately, with the addition of each new service accessible via your Smith username and password comes greater vulnerability to password theft and possible:
- Exposure of your personal information
- Identity theft
- Theft of your intellectual property
- Liability for misuse of your account by another person
Hackers typically enter a legitimate Smith user name, then try to guess the password for that account. But if you choose a long enough password, protect it wisely, and change it periodically, you are helping to safeguard not only your own data, but also the entire Smith network.
