PDC FAQ

Administration of your eToken

Your eToken is designed to be maintenance free. If you would like to learn more about the eToken and your personal digital certificate, here are a few common questions and answers.

 

FAQ Articles

 

 

Question: What are Student Network Services Office hours for eToken requests?

Answer:

NOTE: Student Network Services Office will only process eToken requests during the following hours:

Dates Time Place Organization Members
Every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 2:00 to 4:30 PM 120 Student Services Building, Student Network Services Office Open enrollment for IT personnel and password resets.

 

 

Question: How do I change my eToken password?

Answer:

Notes:

  • You must have the Aladdin eToken Run Time Environment (RTE) software for your OS platform installed before attempting to change your eToken password. If you have not already installed the Aladdin eToken RTE, follow the instructions provided at Installing and configuring software to use your PDC
  • The eToken password which you create must meet the following requirements:
    • Your password must be at least 8 characters long
    • You password must contain at least three of these four types of characters:
      - Numbers: 0-9
      - Uppercase English Letters A-Z
      - Lowercase English Letters a-z
      - Special Characters ~!@#$%^&*()_+`-{[|\;'./:"<>?
    • You may not use the characters }] or =

For Windows

  1. Insert your eToken security device into an available USB port.
  2. Click Start ->All Programs -> eToken -> eToken Properties
  3. Click "Change Password".
  4. Enter your “Current eToken Password”.
  5. Enter the “New eToken Password”.
  6. Reenter that password in the field labeled “Confirm eToken Password”.
  7. Click the “OK” button to change the password.

For Apple Macintosh with OS X 10.3/10.4 or Linux

  1. Insert your eToken security device into an available USB port.
  2. Open your browser. This Example uses Firefox.
  3. Click "Firefox" -> “Preferences”
  4. Click "Advanced" -> “Certificates” -> “Manage Security Devices…”
  5. Your eToken should be listed. If your device is not listed or the Aladdin eToken module is not listed underneath the “NSS Internal PKCS #11 Module” and the “Builtin Roots Module ”, then please make sure that the Aladdin RTE software has been installed for the computer you are using, and then restart your browser. Please refer to the instructions at: Installing and configuring software to use your PDC
  6. Highlight the row under the Aladdin Module that lists your eToken’s name.
  7. Click “Change password”.
  8. Enter your “Current password”.
  9. Enter the “New password”.
  10. Reenter that password in the “New password (again)” field.
  11. Click the “OK” button to change the password.

 

 

Question: What if my token becomes blocked?

Answer:

It's important to remember your eToken password. After 10 consecutive failed password attempts your token will become blocked.

With the Aladdin 4.x RTE you can check your current number of failed attempts by inserting your eToken in an USB slot, opening "eToken Properties" and selecting the "View eToken Info" button. "User password retries remaining" is listed in the lower third of the page.

Entering a correct password anytime before the eToken is blocked will reset the "User password retries remaining" counter to 10.

In order to get your eToken reset, you must take your eToken to the Student Network Services Office located at 120 Student Services building on the Blacksburg campus.

 

 

Question: How do I renew my certificate when it expires?

Answer:

Your personal digital certificate has been issued with a validity period of two years. If your certificate is near expiration or has already expired, you must take your eToken to the Student Network Services Office located at 120 Student Services building on the Blacksburg campus to have a new personal digital certificate issued to you.

You can check to see the validity period for your personal digital certificate by using your browser to view your certificate "Valid From" and "Valid To" dates. If needed, instructions on how to use your browser to view the personal digital certificate stored on your eToken are provided in the article: How do I view my eToken digital certificate using Internet Explorer, Mozilla, FireFox, or Netscape browsers?

 

 

Question: How do I have a PDC revoked?

Answer:

Revoking a PDC means that it can no longer be used with applications that check to see if a PDC is valid. If you need to have a PDC revoked for any reason, contact Student Network Services 540\231-3000 or 4Help 540\231-4357.

 

 

Question: My eToken is damaged. How can I get a new one?

Answer:

If your eToken is damaged, you will need to return your eToken in person to the Student Network Services Office located at 120 Student Services building on the Blacksburg campus and enroll for a new personal digital certificate and eToken.

 

 

Question: My eToken has been lost or stolen. What do I do?

Answer:

  1. Contact Student Network Services 540\231-3000 or 4Help 540\231-4357 and ask to have your Personal Digital Certificate (PDC) revoked. (For further information, see “How do I have a PDC revoked?”)
  2. Go in person to the Student Network Services Office located at 120 Student Services building on the Blacksburg campus to obtain a new PDC. Before you go, see “What do I need to do to enroll for a personal digital certificate?”

 

 

Question: What should I do with my PDC if I change jobs within Virginia Tech or leave Virginia Tech completely?

Answer:

If you change jobs within Virginia Tech you should keep your eToken.

If you are terminating your employment at Virginia Tech, you should return your eToken to your supervisor, who will request that your PDC be revoked. If for some reason you are not able to return the eToken to your supervisor, then contact Student Network Services at 540\231-3000.

Last updated on August 6, 2009