GatorLink passwords can now include dictionary words and are valid for a longer period.
UF Information Technology announced July 8 on Facebook that the password policy had changed, and it went into effect Monday. According to UFIT’s Password Complexity Standard Web page, passwords may include words with fewer than four characters. Passwords still must contain at least three of four characteristics: lowercase letters, uppercase letters, numerals or special characters.
Carly Somers, a 21-year-old UF marketing senior, said she’s never been concerned with her GatorLink account privacy.
“It’s not like you’re going to be able to guess someone’s password just because you can use dictionary words, considering how many words there are,” she said.
Somers said the policy will have positive results because students won’t have to keep memorizing new passwords.
Adrian Diaz, a 20-year-old UF aerospace engineering junior, said allowing dictionary words will save students time.
“It took me 10 minutes to come up with a password the first time,” he said.
Tracy Gale, communications manager for UFIT, declined to comment.
