Information Technology Services > Office of Information Security and Assurance > How to change your password

Password Help

All WSU accounts require a secure password.

When creating or updating your password, please follow these requirements:

  • Minimum Length: 15 characters
  • Avoid Personal Information: Your password cannot include your username, first name, or last name
  • No Expiration: Passwords created after January 2025 do not expire
  • Security Enforcement: WSU may require a password change if your account is suspected to be compromised

Reset or Change Your WSU Password

If you know your current password and would like to change it, refer to the How to Reset Your Password support article for additional guidance.

If you have forgotten your password or are unable to complete the process, please visit with the Crimson Service Desk team via Zoom or in-person to complete visual verification. Instructions for completing visual verification are outlined below.

Visual Verification

Visual verification is required for WSU ITS to reset your password or multi-factor authenticator (MFA) options.

Join Crimson Service Desk on Video Call via Zoom or visit us in-person (Holland Library, Room 150) for assistance.

Password Best Practices

Keep your account secure by following these recommendations:

  • Do not reuse passwords across different systems or websites
  • Avoid common or easily guessed passwords
  • Use a long, unique phrase instead of a single word

Create a Strong, Memorable Password

  • Avoid names, places, pets, and dictionary words as these are easy to guess.
  • Hackers can quickly test common words, so use phrases, abbreviations, or word fragments.
  • Mix in numbers and special characters to break predictable patterns.
  • Aim for something easy for you to remember, hard for others to guess.

Effective methods:

  • Use a passphrase → initials
    1ibLn+Tib5e = “One if by land, two if by sea.”
  • Turn a sentence into a password
    WOO!TSwontSB = “Woohoo! The Seahawks won the Super Bowl!”
    PPupmoarT@O@tgs = “Please pick up more Toasty O’s at the grocery store.”
  • Adapt familiar lines or rhymes
    HD504w,HDh4gf = “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall…”
    yMw4h4yF50e!! = movie quote example
  • Use patterns or repetition
    #WAxcvgy7890- (keyboard pattern)
    B04t5xB04t5! (repeat a simpler password)

Bottom line: Make it personal, structured, and unpredictable.

Learn More

For additional information, review the following resources:

Reminder

Once you have reset your password, you will need to update your account information for wireless internet access and applications on your mobile devices.

Failure to do so may result in your account being locked out due to multiple failed attempts to connect with your account.

Password Assistance

Change Your WSU Network ID or Friend ID Password

Please visit account.wsu.edu and log in to begin changing your password.

  • Once you have started the process, you will have 15 minutes to complete your password reset, then the session will time out.

Recover your WSU Network ID or Friend ID

Please contact Crimson Service Desk at crimsonservicedesk@wsu.edu or 509-335-4357.

Change Your Tri-Cities Account Password

Please visit tricities.wsu.edu and fill out the form to reset your WSUTC password.

You can also reset your local WSUTC account with the following method:

  • Log in to your work computer.
  • Once logged in, press Ctrl/Alt/Delete and click Change a Password.
  • Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the reset.

Change Your VetMed Account Password

Please contact Veterinary Information Systems (VetMed IT) for assistance resetting your VetMed account (username@vetmed.wsu.edu).

Minimum Characters10
Letter - Number - Special Characters (i.e., !, @, #, $, ?)At least 1 of each
Case SensitiveYes
Character Change Requirement for PW Resets3 characters must change
Password Expiration180 Days
Inactivity Deactivation Threshold90 Days
Lockout Policy5 Consecutive Failures
Lockout Duration5 minutes

Create a strong password that you can remember.

Avoid names, places, family, pets, and dictionary words.

Passwords like KardashianFan, Cancun, George, and Fido, or passwords that use any word you could look up in a dictionary, are too easy for people to guess.

Hackers can build programs that automatically try known words so use abbreviated phrases and multiple words or fragments of words, instead. Substitute numbers and special characters for letters or entire words to break up patterns—make it easy to remember, but impossible for anyone else to guess.

Connect the first letters of a passphrase:

  • 1ibLn+Tib5e = One if by land, two if by sea.

Take a sentence and turn it into a password:

  • WOO!TSwontSB = Woohoo! The Seahawks won the Super Bowl!
  • PPupmoarT@O@tgs = Please pick up more Toasty O’s at the grocery store.
  • W?ow?imp::ohth3r = Where oh where is my pear? Oh, there.

Nursery rhyme:

  • HD504w,HDh4gf = Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

Favorite line of a song or movie:

  • yMw4h4yF50e!! = Your mother was a hamster and your father smelled of elderberries!

Use a Keyboard Pattern:
keyboard

  • #WAxcvgy7890-

Consider doubling an easier password:

  • B04t5xB04t5! = Boats x Boats

Reverse any of the above.

WSU Password Policy

Passwords will be required to be reset every 180 days, starting at the date of your most recent password change.

Reminder

Once you have reset your password, you will need to update your account information for wireless internet access and applications on your mobile devices.

Failure to do so may result in your account being locked out due to multiple failed attempts to connect with your account.