August 5, 2022

Your UW NetID credentials

Your UW NetID credentials are valuable to scammers, cyber thieves, and other adversaries. If they’re able to obtain your UW NetID and password, they may use them to send spam and phishing emails, as well as to gain access to your personal data and UW institutional information and intellectual resources.

Adversaries may also use your login credentials to carry out a variety of scams, such as luring people to buy gift cards, to fall for employment or tech support scams, or to cash fraudulent checks or pay phony invoices.

It’s important to protect your UW NetID credentials as you would other types of valuable data, such as passwords for your credit card or bank accounts. Keep the following tips in mind to help secure your personal and UW data.

Things to Do 

  • Don’t reuse your UW NetID and password on other accounts.
  • Use multi-factor authentication, such as Duo, to add a layer of protection in addition to your password.
  • Use strong passwords and passphrases.
  • Don’t store passwords and passphrases in your browser.
  • Avoid using your UW NetID credentials on shared public computers, such as those at a hotel.
  • Use eduroam to secure WiFi connections on UW campuses, and connect to Husky OnNet when you work from home or while traveling.
  • Consider using a password manager to create and store appropriately complex passwords.

Review our Passwords infographic and Phishing online training for more information.