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Archive: May 5, 2004

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Security and
Internet Services

Security home

TWO NEW DRAFTS ONLINE
The drafts are: (1) the new standard for protecting legally private data, http://www.umn.edu/oit/security/privatedata.shtml and (2) new guidelines for Information Technology Support, http://www.umn.edu/oit/security/InfoTechSupport.shtml

PASSWORD CRACKING PROTECTION
Need a shortcut to protect your Windows 2000 and XP desktop from password cracking? We now have a Baseline Security template that will help protect your desktop computer from password cracking and other related security problems. Login here with your UM InternetID and password for installation tips and more: https://quick-test.oitsec.umn.edu/lm/bti/

UPGRADED SYSTEMS: E-MAIL NEWS
The Internet Services staff are pleased with the performance of the new and upgraded systems. They are looking forward to additional hardware changes this summer that will increase stability and reliability; details announced later.

WORKING HARD: E-MAIL SPAM AND VIRUS CONTROLS
In April, central systems e-mail spam controls blocked 10,736,542 messages. Anti-virus controls blocked another 390,036 messages. In March the numbers were: spam controls blocked 7,029,285 messages; anti-virus controls blocked 292,097 messages.

SLOW E-MAIL RESPONSE
On May 3 and 4, 2 of 6 of our e-mail servers were processing at unacceptable levels. Since all UM e-mail users were being effected by slow mail responses and time outs, systems engineers moved several poorly configured user's e-mail inboxes to archive folders. OIT is exploring procedures to prevent a recurrence.

REMINDER: UNAUTHORIZED AND ILLEGAL USE
Unauthorized or illegal use of UM Internet accounts include but are not limited to: harassment; conducting private business unrelated to University activities; unauthorized copying of copyrighted materials. Policies and guidelines here: http://www.umn.edu/oit/policies/

Network and Telecommunication
Services

NTS home

MAY 26 & 27 GOPHER GIGANET MEETING
The next Gopher GigaNet installation Town Hall meetings will cover all-campus installation processes and progress: May 26, 1-2:30 pm and May 27 3-4:30 pm. Register to attend. News, maps, details here: http://www.umn.edu/nts/networkupgrade/

UPDATE: NETWORK UPGRADE
April Network Upgrade installation progress: now progressing on the St. Paul Campus with nearly 2/3rds complete and continuing through the end of April. In mid-May Health Sciences area will begin, moving to the West Bank area in June and July. New switch equipment is installed after pre-installation audits, corrections, moves of current equipment, review and data updates to NTS tracking database. Cutover to the new core scheduled for July and August.

Academic and
Distributed
Computing
Services

ADCS home

SAFE COMPUTING: PATCH AND PROTECT
Thousands of infected campus computers had their network or ResNet connections turned off in Spring 2004 and Fall 2003. To avoid another onslaught of infections, OIT requires that all computers connecting to the U's network be patched and protected against viruses and other malicious programs. Check this new website to learn how to protect your Windows computer: http://safecomputing.umn.edu

AUTOMATING WINDOWS UPDATES
If you are responsible for a computer that is connected to the U's network, you must update your system as soon as critical security updates are available. OIT now offers a free, automated Software Update Service that will help Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP users who use a UM IP address keep up to date. Details here: http://www.umn.edu/adcs/help/oitsus/

SASSER WORM HITS CAMPUS WEEKEND OF MAY 1ST
Over 800 Internet ports were shut off when the Sasser worm hit the UM campus. The shut off was necessary to protect other users and to ensure efficient speed of the network. OIT's walk-in helplines have Security CDs with a Sasser removal tool and updates for your computer. More info: http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/sasser.asp

CALENDARING BETA PHASE: UMCAL
UMCal is in its final beta evaluation phase and is currently ONLY available to staff and faculty. We need more current Meeting Maker users and users new to calendaring as beta testers. Interested? Complete the form here http://www.umn.edu/umcal . Questions to umcal@umn.edu .

UPDATING YOUR ADOBE SOFTWARE TO CS?
Switching to Microsoft Office 2003 applications? Explore these new programs the efficient way: take a computer short course. Information on our updated Adobe and Microsoft courses, as well as our other summer offerings, will be available soon at: http://www.umn.edu/uttc

EXTENDED THROUGH MAY: DELL AGGREGATE PROGRAM
This special Dell purchase program has been extended to the end of May. (It's based on configurations created by CLA.) Departments and individuals can participate. Questions to halve021@umn.edu. See http://www.techmart.umn.edu

HELPLINE CALLS: RAW NUMBERS
Since some of our readers have been curious about helpline statistics, from time to time we will publish the numbers. Total calls made to 1-HELP: 10,764 in March, 2004; 11,291 in Feb. 2004; 11,353 in Jan. 2004; 9,460 in Dec. 2003; 6,836 in Nov. 2003.

REMINDER: WATCH TECH TALK
After a successful first season, the UM program for everyone from Luddites to techies is airing again on public TV stations. May's schedule includes topics such as wireless connections, spam, TVs/video cameras, digital video, and PDAs/portable computing. Schedule details, past episodes, and more here: http://techtalk.umn.edu/

Digital
Media
Center

DMC home

MAY 6: EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGISTS FORUM MEETING
Discuss the future of the forum and participate in break-out sessions about participant-chosen topics with other campus developers of technology-enhanced learning (TEL) projects: Thursday, May 6, 3-4:30 p.m., 402 Walter Library.

JULY 13: NEXT TA WEB CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Teaching assistants can learn about web-based teaching and learning strategies and web design and development techniques in 30 class hours. For the complete schedule and to register, see https://webct3.umn.edu/public/TA_Web_Certtempl/? .

SIGN UP TO GET READY TO TEACH WITH TECHNOLOGY
Learn how to enhance learning with technology, create course web sites and electronic presentations, and more in technology-enhanced learning (TEL) courses. The course fee is waived for eligible faculty members. After next week summer course information will be available online: http://training.micro.umn.edu/ShortCourses/ClassList2.cfm?Sort=Category#16

TEL GRANT WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The investigators of 10 technology-enhanced learning (TEL) projects have been awarded 2004 TEL grants. See the list of winners and get links to their proposals at http://dmc.umn.edu/grants/2004/awards04.shtml .

2004-05 DMC FACULTY FELLOWS SELECTED
Five instructors received fellowships to research the impact of digital technology on teaching and learning and to design and share new and innovative teaching and learning processes: Lee-Ann Kastman Breuch, Angela Carlson-Lombardi, Simon Hooper, Donna Pearson, and Edward Ratner. See http://dmc.umn.edu/fellowship/ .

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