Overview
Any new user - faculty, staff, student, contract employee, retiree, etc. - must first activate a new PirateID and create a passphrase. If you are both student and staff, each account is activated separately.
For assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk 252-328-9866 | 800-340-7081.
Get Started
Step 1
Navigate to pirateid.ecu.edu. The Passphrase Maintenance tool opens. Type in your PirateID* and the challenge text. Choose Next.
The challenge text is not case sensitive. Buttons to the right read the text aloud or generate a new challenge.
*Your PirateID is the first part of your ECU email address - the part before the @ symbol.
Step 2
Type in your ECU ID (looks something like B0000000) and choose Next.
Step 3
Agree to the terms and conditions for passphrase maintenance.
Step 4
Enter an alternate notification email address — messages are sent to both the ECU email AND this address when passphrase maintenance is accessed using your PirateID. Choose Continue.
Step 5
Enter a mobile number to receive an activation code if you are ever locked out of your account. The format is 2521231234 (no hyphens or spaces). Choose Next.
Step 6
Select and answer two authentication questions and then create question three.* Choose Next. The screen should read, "Registration Succeeded."
NOTE: If you see this message: "The application does not have sufficient information available for you to activate your account," complete the Passphrase Reset Authorization form (see attachment, this page) and email to hdreset@ecu.edu or deliver in person to Pirate Techs, Austin 103 or Laupus Library 1500 (photo ID required).
Step 7
The passphrase maintenance main menu opens. Choose Set Passphrase. Enter and confirm your new passphrase,* then choose Set Passphrase. Return to the main menu and exit the system.
*NOTE: To set a passphrase that conforms to ECU passphrase policy, see the Create a Secure Passphrase tutorial in the Related Articles section of this page.