Staff are prompted to do a forced password change every 6 months.  This is a standard security measure required of all staff users.  If a staff member has any reason to believe their password may have been compromised they can reset their own password by going to the Homeroom site.

After changing your Tahoma computer password, you should immediately change the password on any device that connects to your district email or the TSD wireless network.

Without a password change, these other devices continually attempt network connections with the wrong password. Network security rejects the connection and, after multiple failed attempts, sees this as an attack on the network and locks out the user.

Some examples of these devices include:

• A cell phone that you use for district email
• A tablet that you use for district email
• A cell phone or tablet that connects to the TSD wireless network.
• Any personal device (like a laptop or an iPod) you bring into the district and connect to the TSD wireless network.
• A home computer that uses an email client (like Outlook) to connect to district email.
  The account will be automatically unlocked after 60 minutes. Please contact your building tech support person if you need help.

Any district iPad that uses a staff sign in to access wireless to connect to the internet must have the password changed. This includes administrative iPads, department iPads, and Kindergarten and Reading Specialist iPads. 

If the iPad is connected to TSD-Devices, no change is needed.

To check and reset the TSD Wi-Fi connection:

• tap on Settings, then tap on Wi-Fi
• tap TSD and tap Forget this network on the next screen
• choose the TSD network again
• enter your username and NEW password
• select Join
• tap Trust if you get the Not Trusted screen
• The iPad will reconnect to wireless

     System to Create and Remember Passwords:  Watch this screencast

Homeroom   Go to Homeroom and click on the reset password link just underneath the log in spaces as shown to the right. Follow the directions given on screen to reset your password with the reset link that will then come through your Tahoma e-mail.     By changing your password in any of the Homeroom applications, your password will automatically be changed for all the applications.  This includes Homeroom Evaluations, Homeroom Data, Homeroom Classroom and Homeroom 4-Year Plans.

Keeping passwords secure

• Keep passwords in a safe place and don’t label as passwords.  Your password on a piece of paper under your keyboard, on a sticky note by your computer screen or in the top drawer of your desk is NOT secure.
• Passwords kept in a notebook in a locked cabinet with limited access would be considered secure.
• Keeping a list of your accounts and passwords in a file under your “my documents” network folder is reasonably secure (assuming you don’t compromise your network log-in).  The file should not be labeled “passwords”.    
• Storing passwords and usernames in any part of an e-mail application is considered high risk because of the targeting of e-mail for computer attacks. 
• Be cautious of apps that store usernames and passwords – you are only as secure as their security system.  In most instances it isn’t only students and network information at risk if passwords are compromised, it is our own personal finances, credit, etc.
• Disable AutoComplete for user names and passwords. Yes, this feature in Internet Explorer, Chrome Firefox, and other browsers saves you time when you're online, but it also lets anyone who gains access to your computer under your login visit all the secured sites in its database and access your information. 

Strong Passwords

• Do not contain your user name, real name, or school name.
• Do not contain a complete word.
• Are significantly different from previous passwords.
• Use an acronym from an easy-to-remember piece of information. For example, pick a phrase that is meaningful to you, such as My son’s birthday is 12 December, 2004. Using that phrase as your guide, you might use Msbi12/Dec,4 for your password.
• Substitute numbers, symbols, and misspellings for letters or words in an easy-to-remember phrase. For example, My son’s birthday is 12 December, 2004 could become M$un’sbi12 Dec,4  (it’s OK to use spaces in your password).

Need Help? 

Our instructional technology coaches, building 10Tech Teacher Leaders, and BTS’s all provide support for staff technology needs.      

Click here to learn more about cybersecurity and to better secure your home and small-business networks.