What does CIRT do?

Computer and Information Resources and Technology (CIRT) is responsible for the University of New Mexico’s shared computer systems.  This includes the student computer labs (called pods), and the hardware and software to:

·         Support and use the UNM Network.

·         Support academic systems, such as our Unix servers.

·         Support administrative systems, such as student admissions, registration, payroll, and the financial resources systems.

·         Provide UNM NetID authentication.

CIRT’s mission is to provide leadership for the effective use of information technologies to achieve the University of New Mexico’s vision in education, research and public service, and to provide support for the effective management and administration of those functions.

What is a UNM NetID?

Your UNM NetID provides access to computer communications and information resources at the University of New Mexico that require authentication.  This includes dial-up and email access.  Your NetID will enable you to send and receive email from the unm.edu domain, research UNM’s library databases (LIBROS, FirstSearch, etc.), and access the Internet. 

Your NetID also provides access to programs designed for specific department or class needs and other advanced computing resources.  You can contact and share information with instructors or classmates, collaborate on projects, and do extensive research.

In addition, some UNM faculty and staff may need an administrative account on the IBM Enterprise system (mainframe).

Who can get a UNM NetID?

Any student, faculty or staff member can obtain a UNM NetID.

What if I’m not a student, faculty or staff member?

NetIDs are only available to students, faculty and staff, and are for University-related business, academic and personal purposes only.  Retired faculty and staff can keep their NetIds with regular renewals by contacting CIRT’s Computer Accounts Office, Room 2005 in the CIRT building (277-8130; 277-8131; email clrk@unm.edu).  Local Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are available to handle Internet needs for business interests.  These can be found in the Albuquerque US West Dex® Yellow Pages under Internet.

How much disk space do I get with my UNM NetID?

With your UNM NetID, you have access to 40 MB of UNIX disk space, commonly called a computer account at UNM.  This does not include your e-mail INBOX, but does include all other email mailboxes and folders.  You can check your account space by typing quotas at the UNIX prompt (%) or sending email to quotas@unm.edu.

Information about managing your CIRT computer account is available in the chapter “Managing and Manipulating Files” in the Introduction to UNIX manual.  The manual is available at UNM Digital Printing in Dane Smith Hall (call for price) or online (www.unm.edu/cirt/introductions/unix).  A PDF version will be available online.

How do I get my UNM NetID?

Use the online UNM NetID Creation program (www.unm.edu/cirt/new).  Students must be registered through I-Tel-UNM before using the account creation program.  Faculty and staff must have been entered into the Human Resources database at least 24 hours before they can use the program.

You can create your NetID at any CIRT computer pod on campus, from any UNM Internet office computer that has network access, from home, or from any location that has Internet access.  CIRT’s computer pods are staffed by student computer consultants (scons) who can assist you.  The NetID creation process should take less than ten minutes to complete.

The NetID creation program will prompt you for some required information, including your birth date, UNM student ID number, a NetID and a password.  Your password is your secret key to log on to the UNM network.

You will be able to use your UNM NetID and UNM computer services 24 hours after you complete the program.  When your NetID is active, you can log into the network from any CIRT computer, from campus offices that are connected to the network, or from home.

For more information about dialing into UNM from your home, see our Quick Reference, Dialing into the UNM Network (www.unm.edu/cirt/quickrefs/qr_dialups.html).

What’s a good NetID?

Your NetID is the “public” name that identifies you on the computer system, and is the first part of your email address.  Your NetID must contain a minimum of four characters and you must not exceed eight characters.  Try to pick one that is easy for you and your friends to remember.  It may contain numbers, but it cannot contain punctuation characters or spaces.

NetIDs are typically a combination of first and last names, initials, or nicknames.  Because NetIDs must be unique on any particular computer system, you will not be allowed to select a name that is already in use on the computer system at UNM.

Why do I need a password?

Your NetID is public information.  To ensure that only you can log onto the network with your NetID, you must have a password that only you know.  Your password acts as the “key” that allows access to your disk space, e-mail, etc. at UNM.  You are responsible for any use of your NetID and disk space.

How can I create a good password?

Because choosing a good password is important, there are some general rules and tips to remember.  Unlike your NetID, your password should be difficult for a password cracking program or anyone to guess.  Because computer crackers continually try to steal access to our computer systems by guessing passwords, it is important to change your password at least once a semester, if not more often.  If CIRT finds inappropriate activity originating from your account, it will be locked and you won’t be able to use it until you meet with CIRT’s Security Administrator.

Your password must contain no fewer than six and no more than eight alphabetic or numeric characters, or special characters, such as ^ or :, etc.  You must have at least one number or special character surrounded by letters (letters—number/special character—letters).  For example, you could not use passwords like george3 or $susan because the numbers are not surrounded by letters.  Passwords like g3orge or su$ana will work.

You can use formulas or rhymes to help you crate and remember a password.  It should make no sense to anybody else.  For example: “Ali Baba had 40 thieves!” is a mnemonic for Abh40t!  Notice that in Abh40t!, there are numerals (4,0), surrounded by letters (h,t).  You can use certain punctuation characters, e.g., rst:ck, in addition to, or instead of, numbers.  Passwords that alternate kinds of characters (alphabetic to numeric, uppercase to lowercase, etc.) are also more difficult to guess.

Consider who may try to break into your account.  Avoid using your name, initials, age, address or birth date to help make your password resistant to guessing.  Change your password often to guard against anonymous computer crackers.  Remember that no password is secure.

How do I change my password?

You can change your password online (www.unm.edu/cirt/password), or you can do it from your UNIX account by typing passwd at the UNIX (%) prompt.  For more information, see How-to #102, Change your password on UNIX (www.unm.edu/cirt/howtos/ht102.html).

What if I forget my password?

If you are a student and forget your password, but remember your student PIN number and identification number; you can reset your password online (www.unm.edu/cirt/passrenew).  You must have reset your PIN from the default (your birthdate) for online password resetting to work.

Otherwise, bring your UNM ID to the Computer Accounts Office, Room 2005 in the CIRT building, and ask a staff person to reset your password.  The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

What is my e-mail address at UNM?

Your e-mail address is something like a postal address and enables you to receive e-mail from your friends anywhere in the country or around the world.  At UNM, NetID@unm.edu is your e-mail address.

What if my computer account has been broken into?

If you are concerned that your UNM computer account has been broken into or tampered with, report it immediately.  Contact either CIRT Security Administration at 277-8148, the Computer Accounts office at 277-8130, or the UNIX consultants at 277-8145 or 277-8059.