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WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO PROTECT MY PASSWORD?

​​​​​​​To protect your identity, your privacy, and your money

It’s important that you protect your Penn State account and password with the same degree of care you use to protect your bank account and social security number. If you’re a student, anyone who gains access to your account may redirect tuition reimbursement to their own account, gain access to information such as your social security number, credit card or bank account numbers, add and drop classes, and access confidential information such as grades and health records.  If you’re a faculty or staff member, anyone who gains access to your account gains access to all of your information in Workday.

To protect University systems

Your account provides you with access to information and University-wide systems that can be the target of malicious attack.  We need you to do your part to keep it safe.

HOW DO I PROTECT MY PASSWORD?

• Never write your password down or save it on your phone, computer, or other device.
• Never deliberately share your password with your parents, spouse, roommate, friend, or anyone else. Note that Penn State will NEVER ask you for your password.



• Take measures to avoid inadvertently sharing your password.  For example, learn to identify phishing attacks.
• Protect your devices and data from viruses and other types of cyberattack that may be used to obtain your user ID and password.  To learn how, see Protect your Devices, Your Data, and Your Account on Penn State’s Information Security website.
• Using a different password for each account you own.  At the very least, do not use the same password for your Penn State account that you use for any of your personal accounts such as social media, banking or other online accounts.  Cyberthieves take advantage of the fact that many people use the same password on other websites and systems.
• Consider installing password management software on your personal devices to manage all of your passwords.

WHAT IF I FAIL TO PROTECT MY PASSWORD?

In addition to exposing yourself to the possibility of identity theft, you may be subject to disciplinary action by the University.

Your account is a privilege, not a right, and with it comes responsibility. As a Penn State Account holder, you have agreed to abide by the policies established in AD96, Acceptable Use of University Information Resources.

If you fail to do so, the University may lock your account.  If you continue to misuse your account, the Office of Student Conduct, Employee Relations, or Office of Information Security may take further action, including, but not limited to locking your account indefinitely.