Educause Security Discussion mailing list archives
Re: Question on student user accounts
From: Mark Borrie <mark.borrie () OTAGO AC NZ>
Date: Wed, 22 Jun 2005 10:02:02 +1200
For quite a few years we have used 8 character names based on the first 3 characters of their surname, the first 2 of their given name and a 3 digit random number. (some users need a 4 digit random number) The usernames are never reused and are associated with a user for ever. For students this username is used for theie email. We also use a variation of this for staff, external users and role based accounts. The only problem we have is that certain names create interesting and potentially offensive usernames. This year we also had 2 users object to a username ending in 666. We have a process for in place for changing usernames in extreme cases but in 7 years we have only had 5 complaints. The standard naming we use has been so successful we see the names being used in places such as hotmail and other external sites. Mark. On 21 Jun 2005 at 10:37, Fretz, Kerry wrote:
Our institution has been using a specific format for student network accounts for many years. Our format has always been the last name followed by a sequential number. For example, we would use SMITH11, SMITH12, SMITH13 with the email set as the same format. After the user would graduate, we would remove the accounts and eventually, the username would be reused by another incoming freshman. This has created some issues over the years. I was just curious what you are using for the network username format at your institution and what you™ve found that works well for you. Do you reuse network accounts or do you have a unique username for each student coming in? Any input is appreciated. Kerry Fretz Manager, Network & Systems Philadelphia University
-- Mark Borrie IT Security Officer, Information Technology Services, University of Otago, Dunedin, N.Z. Ph +64 3 479-8395, Fax +64 3 479-5080, Mobile +64 27 609-6409
Current thread:
- Re: Question on student user accounts, (continued)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Jorgen Madsen (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Cal Frye (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Charlie Reitsma (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Matt Kirchhoff (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Jeffrey I. Schiller (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Bill Frazier (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Valdis Kletnieks (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Derek Diget (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Cal Frye (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Dave Koontz (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Mark Borrie (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Charlie Prothero (Jun 21)
- Re: Question on student user accounts John Lupton (Jun 23)
- Re: Question on student user accounts Geoff Nathan (Jun 23)