# Accounts # Accounts Overview This article aims to demystify how logins work in Princeton ISD. If you have any questions that are not addressed here, please call 2099 for assistance. ### Terms
**Source of Authority (SOA)** | A Source of Authority (SOA) as it applies in Technology is a system that provides the official record of something. Other systems will get their information from their SOA. **For example:** Infinite Campus is the SOA for basic student information and rostering. |
**Identity Provider (IdP)** | An Identity Provider (IdP) is an SOA for user logins. An IdP is used to tell a system that you are logging in to whether your login credentials are valid. |
**Active Directory (AD)** | Active Directory (AD) is a database of user login information. It is used to authenticate several district systems including any computer that is not a Chrome device. It is also a SOA for certain services. This is sometimes referred to as your "network login." |
**Single Sign-On (SSO)** | Single Sign-On (SSO) is a technology that allows a service like Google or ClassLink to act as an IdP for another service. There are several types of SSO but they are all essentially one service sending information to another service to allow you to log in without typing a password. **For example:** When you log in to ClassLink and click on the Pearson icon, ClassLink tells Pearson to log you in. You do not have to enter a password in Pearson because ClassLink tells Pearson who you are. |
**Students report invalid password/access denied** | This is usually one of two issues. - The student didn't wait for ClassLink to fill their credentials and tried to type them. This is usually solved by observing the student as they try to log in. - The student was previously prompted for a password and entered an incorrect password. This is resolved by following the instructions [here](https://kb.princetonisd.net/books/classlink/page/troubleshooting-single-sign-on "Troubleshooting Single Sign-On") under the heading "The student receives an Incorrect Password error from the app" |
**Students are prompted by ClassLink to enter a password** | - If the resource they are trying to access is on this list ([link](https://kb.princetonisd.net/books/classlink/page/managed-websites-and-applications "Managed Websites and Applications")) it could be that they do not have an account in that resource yet. This can happen if they are a new student or they do not have a valid State ID in Infinite Campus. - If the resource is not on that list, it is not managed by the technology department. If they know their credentials for the service they can enter them when prompted after which they will be automatically filled for all future logins. |
If you have forgotten your password and need it to be reset, please enter a HelpDesk ticket or call the HelpDesk extension.
If you are using a Chromebook or personal device, use the instructions [here](https://kb.princetonisd.net/books/accounts/page/change-password-through-classlink "Change Password through Classlink").
1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard 2. Click "Change a password" 3. Enter your old password in the "Old password" box 4. Enter your new password in the "New password" box 5. Enter your new password again in the "Confirm password" box to confirm 6. Press Enter on the keyboard to submit. #### Password Requirements Passwords must be a **minimum of six characters** in length and must contain **characters from three of the four categories** below. The password **must not contain** your **name** or **username**. - Uppercase letters (A-Z) - Lowercase letters (a-z) - Numbers (0-9) - Special characters # Lunch Barcodes ### Printing Lunch Barcodes Teachers are able to print lunch barcodes for their students using the Rostering Portal available in ClassLink. 1. Click on the Rostering Portal in ClassLink. (Alternatively, go to [https://rostering.princetonisd.net](https://rostering.princetonisd.net) and click Sign In with ClassLink) 2. On the top of the page, click Students[](https://kb.princetonisd.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-05/35osVzDCILVQSIwa-studentspage.png) 3. Select the students you want to print using the check boxes on the left[](https://kb.princetonisd.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-05/Di71yO1lBuiLXqak-studentcheckbox.png) - To select all students, click the check box on the header row[](https://kb.princetonisd.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-05/0wqEJo2cL7ddVzXg-selectallcheckbox.png) 4. Click the light blue barcode button at the top-right of the Manage Students box[](https://kb.princetonisd.net/uploads/images/gallery/2023-05/L4EuG3iCtY9qPePC-barcodesbutton.png) 5. A PDF will be generated which can then be printed, cut, and laminated # Change Password through Classlink ### Overview There are several situations where a student or staff member may be logged into their account and want to change their password. This can be done through the Classlink Launchpad. This document outlines the steps needed to change your computer/Classlink password. ### ProcedureThis procedure will change your password for BOTH Classlink and your computer login.
1. Go to the [Classlink Launchpad](https://classlink.princetonisd.net) 2. Locate your Classlink Profile in the upper-right corner 3. Select the down-arrow next to your Classlink Profile 4. Select SETTINGS in the drop-down menu 5. Go to the RECOVERY tab 6. Select the CHANGE PASSWORD button 7. Enter your old password in the first field 8. Enter your new password in the last 2 fields 9. Select SAVE in the lower-right cornerThis new password will take effect immediately.
### Password Requirements Passwords must be a **minimum of six characters** in length and must contain **characters from three of the four categories** below. The password **must not contain** your **name** or **username**. - Uppercase letters (A-Z) - Lowercase letters (a-z) - Numbers (0-9) - Special characters # Two-Factor Authentication # What is Two-Factor Authentication? Two-factor authentication (sometimes referred to as "2FA", "multi-factor authentication", or "MFA") is an additional layer of security that can be applied to many modern web-based accounts. It comes in many different forms, but they all perform the same function. When you attempt to log in with a 2FA-enabled account on a new device, you are prompted to enter the usual username-password combination, but are then prompted to enter a verification code from whichever authentication method(s) you have set up. These methods for providing codes typically depend on having your cell phone with you. By adding these codes to the sign-in process, this prevents any unauthorized users from accessing your account without your knowledge even if they have your password. If you have signed into a device before using 2FA, you will not be prompted to enter a verification code again, unless you have had your password reset. You will need to enter a verification code while signing in if you are attempting to sign in on a new device or web browser as well. Forms of Two-Factor Authentication ### Mobile Authenticator App You may get a phone application on IOS and Android devices that provide the verification code. These codes are time-sensitive, and are only valid while they appear onscreen in your app. These time-sensitive codes prevent unauthorized users from logging into your account by resetting the codes every 30 seconds, and only being accessible on your phone. An example of what the authenticator app looks like is shown below. Each code is associated with a different account, which may be Classlink, email, banking, Amazon, etc. Notice the timer wheel to the right of each code, which shows you how much longer that code is valid for. Do not feel pressured to enter the code before that timer completes. Sometimes it is necessary to wait until a new code appears, allowing you plenty of time to enter the new code. **Never share these codes with anyone!** You will never be asked for these codes by anyone authorized to provide technical support. [](https://kb.princetonisd.net/uploads/images/gallery/2025-04/c2LF6S96yXppH9XG-image.png) ### Text Message You may also receive a text message containing a time-sensitive code as well. This prevents you from needing to download another application, but these codes usually stay valid for much longer. Text message and data rates may apply. While this method is still quite secure, it is less secure than the authenticator option, since the codes stay valid for much longer, and may be bypassed more easily. Once the code is sent to your phone, you will be able to enter it on your device to finish the sign-in process. Once logged in, it is recommended to delete the text message. **Never share these codes with** **anyone!** You will never be asked for these codes by anyone authorized to provide technical support. ### Image Selection This final option is the least secure of the three presented here. You will select an image which you must remember, and then will need to select the correct image upon signing in to verify it is you. While it is very simple to use, it is *much* more susceptible to random guessing, and so we only recommend using this option if you do not have a cell phone. **Never share your selected image with anyone!** You will never be asked what your selected image is by anyone who is authorized to provide technical support. # How to set up 2FA ## Login to ClassLink First things first! You will need to be logged in to ClassLink to begin. ## Go to Security Settings Secondly, follow the images below to get to the security settings window. In the top right of your ClassLink homepage, click on your profile icon  Next, click on "Settings" ## [](https://kb.princetonisd.net/uploads/images/gallery/2025-04/wYzd9QzqEFOWg428-screenshot-2025-04-10-at-10-59-33-am.png) After that, a new window will appear extending from the right of the screen. Click on "Security". ##  Finally, you should see the window below. **Before you click on anything else, proceed to the next section.** ## [](https://kb.princetonisd.net/uploads/images/gallery/2025-04/pJB0g2b1vnXSZUPx-screenshot-2025-04-10-at-11-22-01-am.png)Select a method Before proceeding, you will need to select your preferred method of 2FA. Below are the available options for Classlink, and are presented in order of strongest security (top) to weakest security (bottom): - Mobile Authenticator app (Strongest) - Text message - Image selection (Weakest) Once you have made a selection, proceed to the steps below associated with that 2FA method. ### Mobile Authenticator App For authenticator apps, there are two options we suggest (both of which are free): - **Google Authenticator** (if you have a personal Google account already) - **Twilio Authy** Search for whichever you prefer in the App Store (iPhone) or Play Store (Android) on your device, and download them. Once downloaded, you will need to sign in: - For Google Authenticator, log in with your **personal** gmail account information. **DO NOT attempt to log in with your work email.** - For Twilio Authy, you will need to follow the instructions in the app for linking your phone number to the app. After logging in to your authenticator app, we will briefly go back to ClassLink. Click on the "Select One" dropdown menu, and select "Mobile Authenticator". [](https://kb.princetonisd.net/uploads/images/gallery/2025-04/ldwLjkwIS524C1SJ-screenshot-2025-04-10-at-12-07-21-pm.png) This should pull up a new window with a QR code. Now return to your authenticator app and locate the **+** button. - **Google authenticator**: a rainbow-colored **+** button at the bottom of the app's screen - **Twilio Authy**: a **+** button with "Add Account" in the middle of the app's screen Select the appropriate button for scanning a QR code. This will open your camera. **If prompted, be sure to give the app access to your camera.** Scan the QR code in your Classlink page with the app, which should add a new code to your app. Finally, enter the new code from your authenticator app at the bottom of the Classlink page, then click the green "Save" button at the bottom of the screen. After the page updates, make sure you see a blue "Enabled" next to the "Mobile Authenticator" option. If it says "Disabled", click the blue "Re-enable" button below. You're all set! You may be asked to enter a code from your authenticator app next time you log in. ### Text Message On your Classlink page, click the "Select One" dropdown menu, then select "Mobile SMS". [](https://kb.princetonisd.net/uploads/images/gallery/2025-04/TMpvmC8gpdQKhTnS-screenshot-2025-04-10-at-12-31-39-pm.png) You will then be prompted to enter your phone number in Classlink. Then click the green "Save" button at the bottom of the screen. After doing so, you will be asked to enter a verification code that is sent to your phone via text message. If you do not receive the text message within 1 minute, click the blue "RESEND CODE" above your phone number. After entering the verification code that has been texted to you, click "Submit" on the right. Once the page updates, make sure you see a blue "Enabled" next to the "Mobile SMS" option. If it says "Disabled", click the blue "Re-enable" button below. You're all set! You may be asked to enter a text message code next time you log in. ### Image Selection On you Classlink page, click the "Select One" dropdown menu, then select "Image". You should see the following screen. [](https://kb.princetonisd.net/uploads/images/gallery/2025-04/EcrIuZ5PLsryIJGi-screenshot-2025-04-10-at-12-47-45-pm.png) Here, simply select an image that you will remember, then click the green "Save" button at the bottom of the screen. Note: you can scroll further to view more images than the ones initially shown. You're all set! You may be asked to select the correct image next time you log in.