Password Expiration Details

VSC passwords expire!

Unlike many accounts, the password for your Vermont State Colleges account won’t stay valid forever. The length of time a password remains valid depends on your role. If you do not change your password before it expires you will need to reset your password to regain access to your account.

Email notifications are set up to help you remember to change your password before it expires.

Password expiration timing

How long it takes for your password to expire depends on your role. For most users, including most students, passwords expire after 365 days. Some staff and faculty members will be required to update their passwords more frequently, some as frequently as every 90 days.

Password expiration emails

Password expiration email notifications are sent to your VSC email address. Password expiration email notifications are sent at the following number of days before your password expires.

• 30 days
• 15 days
• 7 days
• 6 days
• 5 days
• 4 days
• 3 days
• 2 days
• 1 days

Why is Password Expiration Important?

1. Security Enhancement: Password expiration helps protect your account and sensitive information from potential threats. Regularly changing your password reduces the likelihood of someone guessing, cracking, or otherwise obtaining your password through unauthorized means.
2. Mitigating Password Reuse: Many people tend to reuse passwords across different accounts, which can be dangerous if one of those accounts is compromised. Password expiration encourages users to create unique passwords for each service they use, reducing the risk of password reuse and minimizing the impact of a potential breach.
3. Detection of Compromised Accounts: If your account has been compromised without your knowledge, regular password changes can help detect unauthorized access. If you receive a notification or encounter issues while changing your password, it may indicate that your account has been compromised, prompting you to take appropriate action.

Best Practices

1. Use Strong Passwords: When creating a new password, ensure it is complex, unique, and difficult to guess. Include a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable information such as names, birthdates, or common dictionary words.
2. Avoid Sequential Changes: Don’t rely on predictable patterns when changing your password. For example, using a password like “Password1” and simply incrementing the number with each change (e.g., “Password2,” “Password3”) is not secure. Always create new, unique passwords.
3. Remember Password Hygiene: Even if password expiration is enforced, it’s crucial to practice good password hygiene. Avoid sharing your password with others, never write it down or store it in an unsecured manner, and be cautious when entering your password on public or shared devices.

Conclusion

Remember, the password for your Vermont State Colleges account won’t stay valid forever. And maintaining strong and unique passwords is essential for safeguarding your personal information and VSC accounts. Stay vigilant and prioritize your online security!

For more information visit the Accounts & Passwords page.