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SUNet ID Passwords

Password standards

To protect university resources, Stanford has established minimum password standards covering length, complexity, reuse, storage, and more. Before creating or updating your password, be sure to review the Password Standards page.

How to change or reset your password

Stanford's computing infrastructure offers different methods for changing your password or retrieving a lt password.

Change your password through the Accounts page

  1. Point your browser to accounts.stanford.edu.
  2. If the WebLogin page opens, enter your SUNet ID and password and click Login.
  3. On the Accounts page, Select the Password Management tile.
  4. Next, click the Change password tile.
  5. Type your current password in the Current Password field.
  6. Type your new password in the New Password field.
  7. Type your new password again in the Verify New Password field.
  8. Click Save.
  9. For security purposes, quit your browser completely.

Change your password through the StanfordYou page

  1. Point your browser to stanfordyou.stanford.edu.
  2. If the WebLogin page opens, enter your SUNet ID and Password and click Login.
  3. Click Manage your SUNet ID password. The Stanford Accounts page opens.
  4. Select the Change Password tile.
  5. Type your current password in the Current Password field.
  6. Type your new password in the New Password field.
  7. Type your new password again in the Verify New Password field.
  8. Click Save.
  9. For security purposes, quit your browser completely.

Change your password using the command line

  1. Log on to any Unix workstation.
  2. After logging on, type kpasswd sunetid@stanford.edu at the system prompt.
  3. Enter your old (current) password when prompted.
  4. Enter your new (proposed) password when prompted.

Change your (Win) IT account password using the command line (Only if you have IT account )

  1. Log on to any Unix workstation to verify your it.account.
  2. After logging on, type kinit it.sunetid@IT.WIN.STANFORD.EDU at the system prompt.
  3. Enter your current password when prompted.
  4. If logon successfully, type kpasswd it.sunetid@IT.WIN.STANFORD.EDU at the system prompt.
  5. Enter your old (current) password when prompted.
  6. Enter your new (proposed) password when prompted.

Reset your forgotten password

If you have forgotten your SUNet ID password, you can reset it. This is not the same as changing your password (above). This procedure is for when you have a SUNet ID, but you don't remember your password. You will need your SUNet ID, University ID number, Social Security number, and the answer to your "personal fact" question.

  1. Point your browser to accounts.stanford.edu.
  2. Select the Password Management tile, then the Forgot password tile.
  3. Enter your SUNet ID and click Continue.
  4. Next, you will be asked to enter your personal information: last name, University ID number, last four digits of your Social Security Number, date of birth, and the answer to your password reset question. Click Next.
    Note: If you cannot provide all of the requested information, click Cancel and then submit a Help ticket or call 650-725-4357 (5-HELP).
  5. Type and verify your new password. Click Submit. Your password has been changed.
  6. For security purposes, quit your browser completely.

What the system looks for

Dictionary words

The password-checking system screens all passwords against its own large dictionary of over 63 million English and non-English common words, common passwords, passwords that have been leaked by various compromises, and other passwords that attackers may be able to guess.

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