Top 10 Reasons to Change Your CCID Password

Have you changed your password recently? If you haven't, here are a few reasons why you should:

1) The Heartbleed Bug 

You've likely heard of it already, but just in case you haven't, the Heartbleed Bug is not a new indie band, it isn't a new insect that you'll have to bat away this summer, and it's not a crazy new flu.... it's a technical flaw that makes your email, Bear Tracks, and any other password protected account on the internet vulnerable to attack by hackers. If you really want more info about it, you can check out this website, but the Cole's Notes version is basically this: Change your password(s).

2) Brain Power

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Give yourself a mental workout by changing your password. It might be tricky to remember your new password for the first little while, and you'll definitely have to flex your mental might each time you have to stop yourself from typing the old one, but in the end, it should be worth it. 

3) You Must

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If you don't change your password on your own, you'll eventually be forced to. So, if you do it all on your own, you'll have a chance to know what you want your new password to be before hand. You'll be able to prepare yourself mentally for the change. You'll be able to feel confident in your choice. You won't shake your fist and scramble to come up with the first thing that you can think of when you next try to log in and find the "Change Your Password" message that will prevent you from accessing your email, Bear Tracks, etc. 

4) Be the Change

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You should change your password because you want to change your password. You shouldn't have to be forced into it... you should instigate the change yourself. Take control. Be the change.

5) You're Creative

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Your older and wiser than when you first set your password, which means that you can probably come up with something that is far more clever than when you first set your password. Show off how creative you are with a brand new one... just don't actually show it to anyone. 

6) Really, You'll Have to Change It

This one is really self explanatory.... if you don't change it on your own, you'll be forced to. So, just do it on your own schedule.

7) Change is Good

University is all about looking back and preparing to move forward, so try some of that forward movement by changing your password. Set a new path for yourself and try something new. 

8) Past Experience

Have you ever forgotten to log out of your Facebook account? Were your friends around? Did they update your status to something embarrassing? Have you ever left your email account open around those same friends? Well, change your password before they do. 

9) Check Your Email

Over the summer, most students probably abandon their university email accounts... don't be one of them. While you're changing your password, take a look and see if there are any updates, announcements, or other messages that have made their way to your inbox lately. It's good to be in the know. (And to not have a full inbox to sort through when you do decide to log back in.)

10) You Really Do Have To Change It

Really. Like, really really. Like, really really, really, really. It should only take about 30 seconds. Maybe a whole minute if you mistype it in the "retype new password" type box. So, just do it. Change your password.

To learn more about changing your password, click here. And don't forget to change your password on your phone too! Or your laptop! Basically, anywhere you've ever typed it, remember to change it there too.

NOTE: Only change your password using the university's website... never reply yo an email to reset your password... that isn't how it actually works... also, if someone asks you to send them your new password to re-set it for you, that's a scam. Hopefully you know that.