How To Reset Your Password Everybody needs to reset their password at some point. Sometimes you might forget your password, or your not able to log in even if you remember it, or if it's been six months since you've last changed it. No worries, we've got you covered (and it's pretty easy to do). Step 1 – Go to passwordreset.microsoftonline.com The first step is to head on over to passwordreset.microsoftonline.com, where you'll begin the steps to reset your password. You should see a page that looks something like this: Step 2 – Enter your University email You'll notice that it first asks you for your email address. You'll need to enter your entire University email, including the "@pointpark.edu" part, in order to continue. Step 3 – Answer the captcha Next, it'll ask you to answer a captcha. Every captcha will be different, and there is a refresh button if you are struggling with the one you are currently given. Step 4 – Verify your identity Once you've answered the captcha, it will need to verify your identity in order to continue.  The most common verification method is receiving a code via text, but you may also have the option to answer a call or even use the Microsoft Authenticator app to verify your identity. Depending on how your authentication methods are set up, you may be asked for more than one method. Use whatever your preferred method is to verify your identity.  Step 5 – Create a new password Finally, you'll get to the page where you need to enter a new password.  As exciting as this may be to create a new password, here are some things to keep in mind before doing so: Minimum password requirements Password length of at least 14 characters Must contain at least one uppercase letter (A through Z) Must contain at least one lowercase letter (a through z) Must contain at least one number (0 through 9) Must contain at least one special character (&. !, @, #, etc.) Tips on creating a strong password If you're struggling to create a password that is easy to remember and meets our requirements, check out our handy Tips & Info article on creating strong, memorable passwords. Step 6 – Fin  That's it! Your new password should be ready to use or logging into your University account. If you still need assistance, feel free to submit a ticket by heading here, emailing us a helpdesk@pointpark.edu, or by calling us at 412-392-3494.

Tips for Creating Strong and Memorable Passwords With specific requirements for length and contents, trying to create a password that is both strong and memorable can be quite the challenge. It's easy to randomly pick random numbers and characters, but memorizing a random password can be nearly impossible. Using words or dates that are meaningful to you is easy to memorize, but lead to a less secure password. This can lead to a frustrating and head-spinning time when trying to create a new password. Luckily, the Point Park University IT Help Desk is here to help! Here, you'll find our password complexity requirements, a list of what not to include in your password, and some helpful tips that should make it easy to create a strong, unique password that is easy to remember. What to include Creating a strong password begins with password length and contents. Strong passwords are long and contain a variety of letters, numbers, and special characters. At Point Park University, we have specific password complexity requirements that all passwords must meet. Take a moment below to familiarize yourself with our minimum password complexity requirements: Password length of at least 14 characters Must contain at least one uppercase letter (A through Z) Must contain at least one lowercase letter (a through z) Must contain at least one number (0 through 9) Must contain at least one special character (&. !, @, #, etc.) What not to include The above requirements ensure that your password is more difficult to guess, but it's not the only thing to keep in mind when creating a strong password. Additionally, your password should not include any words or numbers that are meaningful to you. For example, you should not include a family member's name, school name, or your birthday. Some of the common words people mistakenly include in less-secure passwords are the following: Your first or last name Your University username The words "Point Park" The word "password" Tips to remember While the above sections are helpful for knowing what to include, or what not to include, in your password, it can still be brain-racking with trying to create a password that is both secure and memorable. We understand it can be frustrating, so we came up with some helpful tips to make the password creation process easier for everyone. Uniqueness, like yourself Everybody is unique and your passwords should be no different. At the Help Desk, we recommend having a password that is only used for your University account. While we suggest having a different password for your University account, it's best to ensure all your passwords are different from one another.  Think "passphrase" Unless your password is "Constantinople," finding a fourteen-letter word can be difficult. Using one word for your password is not recommended. Instead, we suggest you use several random words, a phrase, or even a quote as a starting point for your password. Whether it's opening a dictionary and picking a few random words, creating a phrase from scratch, or using a good quote from that series you've been binge-watching lately, there are many options for coming up with a few words or phrase that is easy to remember and creates a long password. Substitutions are your friend  If you are trying to find a way to work numbers and special characters into your password, using them to substitute letters is one way that can make your password more difficult to guess. Let's take the word "sock" for example. The letter "O" could be turned into "0" and the letter "S" can be turned into "$." Capitalize the last letter, and now you've turned "sock" into "$0cK," which is still easy to remember and yet stronger than the word without substitutions. Separate, but together If you've found yourself with a few words and you want to separate them, using numbers and special characters is a great way to do so while keeping your password secure. You can even separate longer words, like "baseball" into two words by using a special character: "base^ball." Keep it away from prying eyes You should never write down your password anywhere. Writing down your password on a piece of paper, a sticky note, or even the note app on your phone is against our security policy. If you find yourself needing to write down your password to remember it, we suggest going through the above tips again and creating a new password that is easier to remember while still meeting our minimum complexity requirements. With these tips in mind, anybody can create a strong and memorable password. So, leave the frustration behind and start creating a password that works for both of us. And while we use examples to demonstrate some tips, we suggest not picking any of our examples to use in your own password. But don't worry, you've got this; we believe in you! If you ever need to reset your password, head over to passwordreset.microsoftonline.com to get the process started. If you still need assistance, feel free to submit a ticket by heading here, emailing us a helpdesk@pointpark.edu, or by calling us at 412-392-3494.

How To Update Your Multi-Factor Authentication Phone Number Multi-Factor Authentication, also known as MFA, is just one of the security measures we use to keep your accounts secure. If you don't recognize the name, you should recognize the little code that Microsoft texts to your phone before logging into new devices with your University account. This security measure is why it is very important to never give out this code to anyone. The Help Desk will never ask for an MFA code.  Occasionally, you may need to update this phone number if you are leaving the country for an extended period of time, lost your phone, or get a new phone number. Depending on the situation, you may be able to do this yourself or you may need to get in contact with us. Either way, updating your MFA number is relatively simple to do, so let's get started! If you do not have access to your old phone number If you don't have access to the phone number last associated with MFA on your University account, you'll need to get in contact with us either by stopping by the Help Desk or by calling us at 412-392-3494. If you choose to stop by in person, we are located in Thayer Hall, room 220, located just beyond the open computer lab. Just follow the green signs on the walls and you should be able to find us. If you have access to your old phone number If you have access to the phone number last associated with MFA on your University account, then you should be able to update your MFA number with Microsoft on your own.  Step 1 – Go to myaccount.microsoft.com The first step is to head to myaccount.microsoft.com. This is where you'll update your MFA phone number. Step 2 – Sign in Once there, it should ask you to sign in. You'll need to sign in using your University email address, including the "@pointpark.edu" part, and password. Step 3 – Verify your identity When you sign in, it should ask you to verify your identity via MFA. This is why it is only possible to update it this way if you have access to the phone number last associated with MFA on your University account. Once you receive the text from Microsoft, you'll need to enter the verification code they give you.  Step 4 – Head to the Security Info section Once you're all signed in and verified, you'll need to head to the "Security Info" section. This is where you'll be able to update the phone number associated with MFA.  Step 5 – Verify, again In order to change your security settings, it will ask to verify your identity via MFA again. It's the same process as when you initially verified your sign in. Be prepared, you'll need to do it once more. Kind of annoying, right? Step 6 – Select the phone number you wish to change After verifying for the second time, you should see your old phone number listed and the option to change it. Click or tap on the "change" button next to your old phone number. Step 7 – Enter your new phone number You should see a box pop up where you'll enter your new phone number. Be sure to select the proper country code, such as +1 for the United States, as Microsoft will not accept your new phone number without the correct country code. Step 8 – Verify your new phone number Here it is, the final time you'll need to verify. This time, you'll need to verify on your new phone number, but the process is the same as the first two times you've verified.  Step 9 – Ta-da! That's it! You should see a message confirming that the phone number associated with MFA on your University account has been updated!  If you still need assistance, feel free to submit a ticket by heading here, emailing us a helpdesk@pointpark.edu, or by calling us at 412-392-3494.

Due to the increase in hacking attempts on our platform, ITS has made the decision to enforce multi-factor authentication for all our users through Microsoft Authenticator.   Effective Date: Friday 8/23/2024 at 6pm ET  All users will be mandated to change from the unsupported authentication methods of voice call, SMS and email to Microsoft Authenticator App. The changeover will occur automatically the next time you log in.   The documentation below will lead you through the process. Microsoft Authenticator is the only authenticator available for use.  Microsoft Authenticator Download Android / iPhone    Q&A  What is Microsoft Authenticator?  Microsoft Authenticator is a security application that allows a user to login using two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA).  What is Multi Factor Authentication?  It is a security protocol that requires a user to prove who they are through an additional method besides their username and password.  Why do I need Microsoft Authenticator?  Hackers and phishers have become more sophisticated over the last few years. Authenticator is a much more secure method that allows you to confirm your identity easily from your phone.  I already have my authentication set up with SMS, do I need to install an authenticator?  Yes, the verification methods of SMS, voice call and email are being retired.  Do I Have to Use Microsoft Authenticator?  Currently, only Microsoft Authenticator is supported. What if I do not have service on my phone?  You only need to connect to internet the first time you install the authenticator app. An internet connection is not required to use the Microsoft Authenticator app. It is easier to use the app when connected to WI-FI or data, but you have the option of using a Temporary One Time Password (OTP) if you do not have an internet connection.