In a letter dated 31st May 2021, the office of the Minister of Information technology at Makerere University announced the changes that have been made when it comes to accessing MAKAIR. We cover the process of how to sign into Makerere’s WiFi with student email and password in this article.
Makerere University like most institutions of higher learning provides free access to WiFi for students and staff in order to facilitate the operations of many activities for both categories of people while at the university.
Citing the danger of online security being at risk, the Minister came to the conclusion that the method of accessing MAKAIR needs to change. The passphrase/key that was formerly used to access the free WiFi has been phased out since it is believed that the use of this passphrase/key was not proper as it was easily shareable.
This creates a loop hole for malicious people to manipulate the system and get the data they need. The fact that a a majority of the population in the University rely on this WiFi to carry out daily activities across the internet puts a huge number of people and their data at risk.
Also read: How to activate a Mak webmail account for MUK students
The new procedure on how to sign into Makerere’s WiFi with student email and password
The steps are as follows:
FOR MOBILE PHONE:
Step 1: Find MAKAIR in the available Wi-Fi networks and attempt connecting to it. Instead of the previous single step password requirement, you will see a screen as shown below. Click on the drop-down menu button as shown to get the desired option.
Step 2: Select “Don’t validate”
Step 3:
- Under “Identity” provide your university email address
- Skip (Leave empty) “Anonymous Identity”
- Under “Password” provide your webmail password
- Click “Connect”
After this step, a connection to MAKAIR should be established.
FOR COMPUTERS:
Step 1: Under the available Wi-Fi networks, find MAKAIR
Provide your university email address as the “username”.
Step 2: Enter your webmail password as the “Password”
Step 3: Click “Connect” to continue
After the above step, you should now be connected to MAKAIR
Here is a video to guide you through the steps on how to sign in to MAKAIR with a student email
The guild representative of BioSciences at Makerere University Muwanga Araphat explained that the need to be more vigilant in terms of cybersecurity is critical because technological improvements have worsened the consequences of one’s data being compromised. People have grown more dependent on technology over recent years.
He said in a communication posted on social media, “Due to the intensified research during these times, cybersecurity is very paramount. It is from this cause that the ministry of Research and Information technology highlights a few changes in accessing the free MAKAIR wifi.”
Just like in the letter, it has been announced that these changes are expected to take effect from June when trying to access MAKAIR. A specific date has not been stated yet so it remains uncertain when they are actually meant to start.
Students have been advised to take note of these changes and kindly use them to access the internet. Those that have no MAK email please generate one via sso.mak.ac.ug.
Read more: A guide on how MUK students can get university ID cards through the AIMS portal
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