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NetID - NetID 101: Complete Guide

This document explains what a NetID is and how it can be used.

Contents

 What is a NetID?

Your NetID and your NetID password allow you access to many university systems. Your NetID is a combination of your initials and numbers (e.g. abc123) and is not the same as your Rice ID or Owl ID.

 Eligibility for NetID

Your NetID account will work for the duration of your "active" status at the university. The actions below change your status in the Rice database, which triggers the creation of your NetID. In turn, your NetID creation activates your Rice email account.
  • Faculty and Staff: after acceptance of employment (Contact Human Resources for any questions regarding eligibility.)
  • Undergraduate: within 24 hours of your undergraduate student status (late April or early May after deposits are received) (Contact the Office of the Registrar for any questions regarding eligibility.)
  • Graduate: after completion of acceptance process (Contact the Office of the Registrar for any questions regarding eligibility.)
  • Retirees: university retirees as defined by Human Resources have access to email only. 

 Computing Systems Linked to NetID

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 Activate NetID

Go to the Online Account Management System. The My NetID page is divided into two parts: Sign In (for current account holders) and Activate Your NetID (for new members of Rice community). Select the link, Start by activating your NetID. 

The mynetid.rice.edu web page with the link Activating your NetID highlighted

You will be asked to provide your Rice ID number (which is on your Rice ID card or in your welcome letter), your birth date, and your first and last name (should match the name given to the Office of the Registrar or Human Resources). Then select Submit.

Screen displaying activate your NetID

If you already have an active NetID: clicking Submit will tell you that "Your NetID is already activated. It can not be activated again." You can click on the link at the top of the page: I already have a NetID to log in to your NetID Account.

After successfully setting up your NetID password, you will receive a Congratulations message that identifies your name and NetID.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to make a note of your NetID. 

Success screen with NetID credentials

Once your password is set, you can access your Rice email through Rice Google Mail. 

Two-Factor Authentication

What is VPN?

Setting Up VPN

Installing AnyConnect VPN Software

Duo Authentication

Need help?

What is VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and its purpose is to provide additional digital security. Rice's VPN system allows secure transportation of data between the university network and a remote computer connected to the Internet outside of Rice. For security reasons, many Rice resources can only be accessed from the Rice network– either from an on campus location or using VPN. 

Setting Up VPN

You need to download the necessary software, AnyConnect VPN, for your computer (also called client). See the next section for links to download the software, which will require you to use the Duo authentication service. If you have not set up Duo previously, see the section below, Duo Authentication.

Before you download the software, you must agree to certain conditions to using Rice's VPN software, including:

  • you acknowledge that the software and your account are for your personal use only and may not be used by any other person or entity anywhere in the world for any purpose
  • you will not give anyone access to the VPN software or your account in order to access the Rice University network.
  • that taking your computer with installed VPN software outside of the United States is viewed by the U.S. government as an export of the VPN software and may require prior government authorization for several specific countries (for example Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria). Email exportcontrols@rice.edu at the Office of Sponsored Projects and Research Compliance for more information.

Installing AnyConnect VPN Software

Use the links (campus login required) below to access information about how to install and use the VPN software for specific devices:

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for Windows using Duo Authentication

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for Mac OS X using Duo Authentication

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for iPhone and iPad using Duo Authentication

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for Android using Duo Authentication

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for Red Hat Linux using Duo Authentication

VPN: AnyConnect VPN for Ubuntu Linux using Duo Authentication

Duo Authentication

Duo is an authentication service (sometimes called two-factor or multi-factor authentication (2FA or MFA)) that can be utilized for Rice systems that require an additional layer of security such as Esther, VPN, and the online account management system, mynetid.rice.edu.
Authentication strengthens access security by requiring multiple methods (also referred to as factors) to verify your identity. These factors can include something you know - like a username and password, plus something you have - like a smartphone app to approve authentication requests. Duo helps protect against phishing, social engineering and password brute-force attacks and secures your accounts from attackers exploiting weak or stolen credentials.

To get started with Duo, read All about Duo. This document will explain how to use Duo for managing and enrolling devices as well using the authentication service while traveling.

Need help?

If you need assistance setting up VPN or Duo, contact the OIT Help Desk.

Password

Password Criteria and Best Practices

Effective May 17, 2021, new Rice Google account holders will use their NetID password to login to Google. Individuals with Rice Google accounts that were established prior to May 17, 2021 will continue to have a separate Google password that differs from their NetID password until they change one of the passwords and then the passwords will automatically be synchronized. If individuals would prefer to have one less password to remember, they may synchronize them by resetting their password at https://mynetid.rice.edu.

Password Criteria

  • Passwords should be 8characters or longer in length (pass phrases are highly recommended)
  • Be secure and memorized. (Writing down passwords is not recommended)
  • Contain at least 1 character from each of the following character sets:
    • Upper case letter (A-Z)
    • Lower case letter (a-z)
    • Digit (0-9)
    • Special character (! ?. )
  • Be secured and private.
  • Passwords should not contain a common proper name, NetID, email address, initials, first, middle, or last name in forward or reverse format.
  • Passwords should not be or contain a dictionary word if less than 12 characters.
  • Has not been used previously in the last year.

Best Practices

  • Each password chosen is new and unique for each account.
  • Don't share it with anyone.
  • Don't write it down.
  • Do change the password if it is shared or if you think someone else may know it.
  • Do change the password regularly.  (Suggestion: change your password when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time)

Change your NetID Password

Effective May 17, 2021, new Rice Google account holders will use their NetID password to login to Google. Individuals with Rice Google accounts that were established prior to May 17, 2021 will continue to have a separate Google password that differs from their NetID password until they change one of the passwords and then the passwords will automatically be synchronized. If individuals would prefer to have one less password to remember, they may synchronize them by resetting their password at https://mynetid.rice.edu.

Note: By changing your NetID password, you will be eliminating your separate Google password (if you had one before). You will use your NetID password to login to the Rice Google system.
 
Before proceeding, you must be enrolled in Duo Authentication.  Changing your NetID password will require the use of Duo two-factor authentication.

If you are already enrolled using Duo Authentication, proceed to the Online Account Management System.

Step 1:  Log on to: Online Account Management Page.
Step 2:  Choose your authentication method: Send me a push, Call me, or Enter a passcode. (The example in this document uses a mobile phone with the "Send Me a Push" button.)

Screen displaying Duo Authentication
On the mobile phone, a notification for a login request will appear.  Select Approve.

Duo Notification on Mobile phone

Note:  if you do not Approve the notification promptly, your Login can time-out.

Login time-out message

Step 3:  Select the Change Password option for NetID option. (Note: When you change your NetID password, if you had a separate Google password before, it will become the same as your NetID password. Read more.)
 
Enter your new password (making sure it meets the criteria listed below that field), re-type the password and click Submit. 

Account Maintenance

Change Password

This page allows you to change your password credentials associated with various campus resources. Select the password that you wish to change.



Password Requirements
• It must be different from your current password.
• It must be at least 8 characters or longer.
• It cannot be based on your NetID.
• It must not contain your name or common words (e.g. Rice or Owls).
• It must contain at least three of the four character classes:
• Uppercase letter
• Lowercase letter
• Special character
• Numeric digit
• It must be composed of characters in the Roman alphabet or symbols on the US keyboard.
Create a new password based on the specific requirements. Enter your new password twice and then select submit.
Enter new password twice and select Submit

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How to Reset a Forgotten NetID Password

Effective May 17, 2021, new Rice Google account holders will use their NetID password to login to Google. Individuals with Rice Google accounts that were established prior to May 17, 2021 will continue to have a separate Google password that differs from their NetID password until they change one of the passwords and then the passwords will automatically be synchronized. If individuals would prefer to have one less password to remember, they may synchronize them by resetting their password at https://mynetid.rice.edu.

By changing your NetID password, you will be eliminating your separate Google password (if you had one before). You will use your NetID password to login to the Rice Google system.

Select Forgot Password on the Rice University Online Account Management System.

mynetid.rice.edu

Enter your NetID, birthdate, and click Submit.
Reset your NetID password



You will then be asked to select your preferred notification method. After you make your choice, click Submit. A password reset token will be sent to you via your selected method. This token is only valid for 24 hours and can only be used once. If needed, you can generate another token.

Use Password Reset Token

Enter your NetID and the token and click Submit. Follow instructions.

If you need assistance throughout this process, contact the OIT Help Desk.

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What to do if Locked Out of Account

Keep calm if you are locked out. The lock automatically expires if no other failed authentications occur.  While you are waiting, check your phone and laptop for places where you may have saved an old password and change those to use the new password.  If you've done this and you still are unable to figure out what is causing your account to automatically lock, please reach out to the OIT Help Desk.

The common causes behind an automatic account lockout is when an incorrect password is entered multiple consecutive times or an incorrect saved passwords in an application or a web browser is entered multiple times. For the latter scenario, it's best to figure out where the saved password is stored and act accordingly.

Common places with passwords stored:
  • WiFi/Wireless Network Settings: Select Forget this network for Rice Owls WiFi and re-authenticate with credentials
  • Email Client (Thunderbird, Exchange, Apple Mail, Outlook)
  • iOS / Android 
  • Cached credentials / stored passwords in a web browser: Clear the browser cache
  • Windows stored credentials 
  • Windows Mapped Drives: Disconnect Mapped Drives and reconnect with proper credentials
  • MacOS X/ MacOS Keychain: Remove password from Keychain and re-authenticate with credentials then add correct password to Keychain

Automatic account lockouts typically activates after multiple consecutive failed login attempts to a specific authentication system. To better understand the automatic account lockouts, it's important you understand that we have two independent authentication systems with auto-lock protection:

  • Active Directory
  • RiceNet Wireless
  • Rice Exchange Mail
  • Workstation/Kiosk Logins (Windows, Mac)
  • LDAP / Kerberos / Web Single Sign-On
  • Rice Campus Mail
  • Rice Authenticated Web Sites (Canvas, Box, Subversion, Webmail, etc.)
  • Server/Desktop Logins (Linux)

Auto-lockout affects access to everything within that authentication system. This means if you trigger the auto-lockout by entering your password incorrectly into Webmail (Rice Campus Mail), you will be unable to access any Linux computers that are also using LDAP for authentication, but your RiceNet Wireless would continue to work normally.

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Manage NetID Account

Changing your Published (Primary) Email Address

You can select which of your email address or aliases that you want to make public in the Rice online directory (https://search.rice.edu). 
Login to https://mynetid.rice.edu. Accessing the Online Account Management System (https://mynetid.rice.edu) requires using Duo Authentication.
Screen Displaying Welcome to the online account management system
Click the Select Primary Email Alias link in the left menu. 
Select the radio button for your preferred primary email alias and then click Publish.
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Creating an Email Alias (also known as Vanity Email)

With the activation of your NetID, you are automatically assigned two email addresses:
  • NetID address: sto77@rice.edu
  • Official full name address: Samson.The.Owl@rice.edu
You can create up to three personalized @rice.edu addresses that also called email aliases or vanity email addresses.
Select vanity addresses carefully since you will not be able to delete or modify them later.
  • Example Vanity email address: Sammy.Owl@rice.edu

To create a new email alias, login to https://mynetid.rice.edu. Accessing the Online Account Management System (https://mynetid.rice.edu) requires using Duo Authentication.

Welcome Screen displaying the Rice Online Account Management System
Click the Create Email Alias link in the left menu. 

Create Email Alias

An Email Alias is also called a Vanity Mail Address or a Vanity Alias.

An email alias allows you to personalize your @Rice.edu address. Your NetID automatically assigns you two email addresses: your NetID address and your official address (usually your full name). You may create up to three email vanity aliases. All addresses deliver messages to your NetID email account. NOTE: you cannot delete or modify alias addresses after you create them.

Email Alias Requirements

• Must contain at least 3 characters.
• Must contain only lowercase letters, numbers, dashes (-) and the period (.)
• Alias addresses must begin with a letter and end with a letter or a number.

You have 3 vanity mail alias remaining.

Enter

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Changing Contact Information in MyNetID

Be sure to keep your contact information in the Rice Online Account Management System, MyNetID, updated. In order to reset your forgotten password yourself, the system needs to know a cell phone number or a secondary email address or both. This way, a reset token can be sent to those contact points that are external to the password that needs resetting. 
Login to mynetid.rice.edu. Click the Change your contact information button or the Contact Information link in the left menu. 
Screen displaying Welcome to Rice online account management system



Enter your personal email address and your SMS capable phone number along with the service provider name. Then select Save.


Screen displaying Set up your personal contact information

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Account Summary

Note: Accessing the Online Account Management System (https://mynetid.rice.edu) requires using Duo Authentication.
To view your MyNetID account information, login to https://mynetid.rice.edu. Once logged in, click the Account Summary link in the left menu. 
Screen displaying Rice Online Account Maintenance
  • NetID Information - use your NetID to log on to Rice classroom and lab computers and campus systems.
  • NetID Account Status - the status is indicated.
  • Primary Email Address - this is your published email address in the Rice online directory.   You may select your preference for published email alias.
  • Email Alias or Vanity Email Alias  - You may personalize your Rice address by creating up to only three email vanity aliases. All addresses deliver to your NetID email account.

Account Maintenance

Account Summary

Questions? Contact the OIT Help Desk.

NetID Information

Your NetID is a combination of your initials and number. In this document, the example NetID is mlm1.

Use your NetID to log into Rice classroom and lab computers, as well as the university systems, applications, and resources shown below.

Table describing emails of rice university
Type Status Description

Campus email system (Cyrus)

Ready

Used for by employees not migrated to Google email

Google email

Ready

 Used for email by students and many employees

VPN

Ready

 Used for off-campus access Rice-only resources including storage, printers, and plotters.

Google Apps 

Ready

 Used for university calendaring and file sharing

PC & Mac Access

Ready

 Allows access PC and Mac computers in campus labs and offices.

Web Authentication

Ready

 Used for access to general CAS protected websites

Email Information


Your published email address is Michelle@rice.edu
To access your Rice email, you must log in using your NetID account name, mlm11

Primary Email Address

Designate one email address as your primary or published address for the Rice Online Directory. You may choose your NetID address or one of your email aliases as your published email address 
Email Alias or Vanity Mail Alias
An email alias or vanity mail address allows you to personalize your Rice address. Your NetID automatically assigns you two email addresses: your NetlD address and your official address (usually your full name). You may create up to three email vanity aliases. All addresses deliver messages to your NetID email account.
The following list shows all the addresses that can deliver messages to your NetID email account.
Table describing email alias
Mail Alias Account Type Status Mail Account
Michelle@rice.edu Vanity Ready mlm11@mail.apps.rice.edu
Michelle.Munroe@rice.edu Official  Ready mlm11@mail.apps.rice.edu
amolu@rice.edu Vanity Ready mlm11@mail.apps.rice.edu
mIm11@rice.edu User Ready mlm11@mail.apps.rice.edu
New vanity mail alias Vanity

You have 1 vanity mail alias remaining. Remember, you cannot delete or modify alias addresses after you create them.
Create a new vanity mail alias for your mail account

See Also:



Keywords:NetID, net id, account, email account, activate netid, netid password, change netid password, reset netid password, create email alias, email alias, change published email, account summary, contact information, netid lockout, forgot password,   Doc ID:58397
Owner:Cynthia S.Group:Rice University
Created:2015-11-20 16:48 CDTUpdated:2022-02-02 20:06 CDT
Sites:Rice University
Feedback:  14   11