Today is the first day that Westlaw will be requiring "strong" (more secure) OnePass passwords for all Westlaw users. Users will have until January 31, 2010 to comply
with this requirement. After that date, you will no longer have access to Westlaw until you update your OnePass account.
So, what does this mean for you?
1. If you use the Westlaw “Remember me” feature to log in to Westlaw, it will not work. The first time you try to log in, all your “remembered” information will be turned off, and you will get an e-mail from Westlaw explaining the new OnePass requirements and including some of your log in information to help you get signed back in.
2. If you sign in to Westlaw with your usual credentials, you will be taken to a screen allowing you to update your OnePass account immediately, or to proceed to lawschool.westlaw.com as usual. Even if you already have a OnePass username and password, you may have to update to a “strong” OnePass. Many Westlaw users, especially faculty, do not currently have OnePass set up, and will need to pick a new OnePass username and password.
3. What is a “strong” username and password?
A "strong" username:
- must be unique
- must be 8 – 70 characters
- must contain TWO of the following: lowercase letter, uppercase letter, number, or one of these symbols .(period) @(at sign) –(dash) _ (underscore).
- TIP: You can use your email address since it contains an @ symbol and lowercase letters.
A "strong" password:
- must be 8 – 16 characters
- must contain THREE of the following: lowercase letter, uppercase letter, number, or one of these symbols .(period) @(at sign) –(dash) _ (underscore)
- cannot be the same as your username