University Technology Solutions issues required passphrase reset

DECEMBER 21, 2020 — Editor's Note: This message was sent via email to all students, faculty and staff from University Technology Solutions:

You are probably aware of several recent high-profile cyber issues related to SolarWinds and FireEye and embedded malware being placed in widely used operating systems. Out of an abundance of caution and given some anomalous behavior observed in some of our peripheral systems last week, we chose to use the start of the winter break to implement a UTSA-wide passphrase reset.

As of 6 p.m. today, current user passphrases will expire and it will be necessary to select a new password. Please take the following steps after 6 p.m. today or during the holiday break: 

• Go to the UTSA Passphrase Portal (http://passphrase.utsa.edu).
• Click on “Begin Reset” in the “Reset Your Passphrase” tile.
• Follow the prompts to enter your myUTSA ID and enter either your contact phone number or non-UTSA email address as your contact information selection.
• Follow the prompts to send your passphrase request to either your contact telephone number or non-UTSA email address. You have a two-hour timeframe before the passphrase request expires.

In order to utilize the UTSA Passphrase Portal to reset your passphrase, you must have already set up your passphrase reset contact information (cellphone number or non-UTSA email address). If you have not set up your passphrase reset contacts, you will not be able to reset your passphrase using the Passphrase Portal. Please contact Tech Café at 210-458-5555.

As an academic leader in cybersecurity, UTSA maintains a culture of awareness of cyber security trends and best practices to protect the integrity of our systems. We periodically recommend passphrase resets as part of our cyber hygiene.

---

---