May I allow someone else to use my IU computing account?

Under no circumstances should you ever allow anyone else to use your Indiana University computing accounts; don't even give technical support people your passphrase for temporary use. IU/UITS support personnel will never need or ask for your passphrase, in person, over the phone, or via email/chat. The following is an official policy statement from the University Information Policy Office (UIPO):

Your Network ID and computing accounts are provided for your personal use. Network IDs provide access to a wide range of services that are restricted for use by you personally (such as grades, address information, bursar bill, salary, benefits) or are restricted for use by members of the university community (dial-in, library services, and newsgroups). If you share your usernames and passwords with spouses, family members, friends, or roommates, then you are giving them access to services they are not authorized to use.

For more about proper use of your computing account, see the UIPO policy Appropriate Use of Information Technology Resources.

Also see:

• At IU, what should I know about putting information about myself on my personal web page?
• What should I know to avoid getting in trouble with email?
• Best practices for computer security
• If I give my passphrase to someone else who uses my account to send a harassing email message, will I be held responsible?
• What is UITS policy on computing account termination?