Tutorial - Activate a New PirateID User Account

Overview

NEW ECU students and staff activate (claim) their user account through this two-step onboarding process before logging in to Canvas and other ECU resources. Your account includes an ECU-assigned PirateID username and a password you create during onboarding. A new user's PirateID is assigned by ECU.

1. Create a password in PirateID Self Service system. Steps 1 - 4. pirateid.ecu.edu
2. Set up ECU account authentication (MFA) by logging into email. You'll be prompted for setup.  Step 5. mymail.ecu.edu

If you are both student and staff, each account is activated separately. Alumni use the Microsoft 365 Self Service Password Service to manage their alumni password.

Step 1. Log in to PirateID Self Service

1. Go to pirateid.ecu.edu using Chrome or Firefox (Safari is not supported). The PirateID Self Service dialog box opens.
2. There are three drop-down tabs:
   • Log In
   • Forgot your password or activate your PirateID?
   • Account locked out?
3. Choose the Forgot your password or activate your PirateID? tab to activate your account.
    
    
4. Type in PirateID username previously sent to you and the captcha numerals in the dialog box. Click Continue.

Step 2. Set up verification for PirateID Self Service*

PirateID Self Service requires an account verification method when you log in for annual password resets or to unlock your user account. This account verification is for PirateID Self Service ONLY and separate from the authentication you set up in Step 5 to use to access email, Canvas and other ECU systems.

Set up one of the following identity verification methods, then choose Continue. 

Security questions. Information from your student/employee application.

Email verification. Receive a code to your personal email account. You must choose your personal email address as you don't yet have access to your ECU email.

SMS text verification. Receive a code to your mobile phone.

Step 3. Verify your identity in PirateID Self Service

Follow the dialog boxes to complete identity verification.

• Code emailed to your personal email or texted to your phone.
  
   
• Code texted to your phone
  
   
• Two questions specific to you
  

*If we are unable to populate your application information - phone number, personal email address - into PirateID Self Service, you will not be able to activate here. Please submit the ECU Password/MFA Reset Request, call the IT Service Desk at 252-328-9866 or visit your nearest Pirate Techs location.

Step 4. Create your password

• After verification, the Change Password dialog box opens. Create a password that contains at least 3 of these 4 categories:
  •  Upper case letters
  • Lower case letters
  • Numbers
  • Special characters (!, @, *)
     
• Other password conditions include:
  • A minimum of 15 characters
  • No reuse of previous 6 passwords
  • Cannot contain any part of your legal name (first, middle or last)
  • Cannot contain your PirateID
  • Should not start with a special character (some systems may not accept passwords that begin with a special character)
  • See the Best Practice - Tips for a Secure Password article for more information
     
• You have completed this part of the account activation. Sign out of PirateID Self Service, then complete Step 5 to set up ECU account authentication (MFA).
  
   

Step 5. Log in to ECU email | configure MFA

First-time users log in to their ECU email account and are then prompted to set up account verification (MFA) used to access ECU systems like Microsoft 365, email, Canvas, etc. This is separate from the verification you set up for PirateID Self Service during Steps 1-4 above. Login: mymail.ecu.edu

For a complete overview of Microsoft's MFA features, see the article, Tutorial - Manage ECU Account Authentication.