UBITName password resets required for some accounts

A group of UB community members work on a laptop in a UB classroom.

Published January 27, 2022

Beginning in 2022, UB will be requiring people with UBITName accounts to change their password. Accounts are being selected on a rolling basis; here's how to know when your account has been selected, and what you should do about it.

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These required password changes are a preemptive measure against increased security threats, associated especially with older accounts that are no longer used or have less secure passwords.

When your account is selected, you can visit the UBITName Manager to change your password.

How will I know when I need to change my password?

When it's time to change your UBITName password, you will see a message on UB's standard login page that says Please change your UBITName password soon.

Once this message appears, you will have 30 days to visit the UBITName Manager at ubidm.buffalo.edu and change your password.

What happens if I don’t change my password?

After 30 days, you will be directed to the UBITName Manager to change your password when you log in. You won’t be able to access UBIT services until you change your password. 

If you experience problems logging into your account, please contact the UBIT Help Center at 716-645-3542.

I saw the message asking me to change my password. Is something wrong?

A request to change your UBITName password does not mean there is a security issue with your account. UBIT simply requests that certain accounts change their passwords occasionally to prevent these accounts from becoming compromised in the future.

I received an email asking me to change my UBITName password. Is it legit?

To inform members of our community who might not learn about this initiative otherwise (such as UB retirees who only use UBmail), an email was sent to a select number of people requesting they change their UBITName password. This email asked customers to log into the UBITName Manager directly to change their password (it did not provide a link).

Generally, UB does not ask for sensitive information about your password via email, and will not ask you to click a link in an email to change your password. Please be wary of any email you receive asking you to change your UBITName password. If you wish to verify that an email from UBIT is legit, contact the UBIT Help Center.

Faculty and staff: working remotely? Avoid changing your UBITName password until back on campus

The best time to change your UBITName password is while on campus. This is because some computers won’t synchronize your login information until you’re on UB’s network.

This means that, if you change your password while working remotely, the login for your work computer may not update automatically with it (however, you’ll still be able to log in using the old password). Once back on campus, you’ll need to log out and then log back before your computer will accept your new password.

This only affects logging into your UB-owned computer with your UBITName and password. All other UB online services will recognize your new password immediately.

If you’ve been asked to update your password as part of UBIT’s password reset initiative, you will have 30 days to do so. If possible, wait until you are on campus; if you cannot return to campus within the 30-day window, contact your departmental IT support and inform them you will be changing your password while not on campus.

If you believe your account has been compromised, regardless whether you are on campus, you should change your UBITName password immediately. If working remotely, continue to use your old password to log into your computer until you return to campus.  

I need help with my UBITName account

For problems with your UBITName account, contact the UBIT Help Center—visit buffalo.edu/ubit/help, or call 716-645-3542.