Telephone Security
for Regular Phones | AUDIX | Cell Phones

For regular phones, security is mainly a matter of keeping other people from billing their phone charges to your account.

• Some campus phones are restricted and require the use of an authorization code to make any off-campus calls. This is commonly used in shared spaces like labs where several people might use the same phone. Anyone who does not know the authorization code will be limited to free, on-campus calls. To obtain an authorization code, ask your department or unit's telecommunications coordinator (the person who handles your phone bills) to fill out and submit a Request for Services form. To find out how to enter your authorization code when dialing, see the Dialing Instructions for Campus Phones.


• Students living in the residence halls are each assigned a personal identification number (PIN) that is used to bill calls to their bursar account. To prevent unauthorized billing, keep that PIN confidential. See the ResPhone PIN web page to find out more.

Access to voice mail via AUDIX requires a password for security and privacy. You can change your password to any combination of at least six digits.

Security for cell phones is more complicated. Because people can illegally listen to cell phone frequencies, don't use a cell phone to discuss anything of a sensitive or confidential nature. Also, it may be possible for people to fraudulently bill calls to your cellular account. Check every bill carefully and avoid using your phone's "roaming" feature. See Cell Phone Security for more information.