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Archive: October 6, 2004 |
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Security and
Internet Services
Security home |
A NEW WINDOWS THREAT: MALFORMED JPEG
Microsoft released a patch for a new Windows exploit on 9/15/04:
a malformed JPEG file could allow a hacker to gain full access to
your computer. Information and download links available at http://www.safecomputing.umn.edu
.
IMPROVED VIRUS SCANNING
Previously, e-mail was scanned for viruses right before it was delivered
to your Central e-mail account; but if that mail was automatically
forwarded to a departmental account, it was not scanned. The scanning
process has changed. Now all incoming and outgoing e-mail going
through the U's Central E-mail Services, as well as incoming LISTSERV
e-mail, is scanned for viruses.
IMPROVED VIRUS REPORTING
We not only scan more e-mail, we also report more viruses. Viruses
caught in outgoing e-mail are automatically reported to abuse@umn.edu
for follow-up. Viruses caught in incoming e-mail are logged to users'
customized "Show Blocked Incoming E-mail" page, available
via http://www.umn.edu/validate
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SPAM AND VIRUS STATS
In September, 2004 Central e-mail spam controls blocked 8,383,529
messages; in August they blocked 10,575,731 messages. Anti-virus
controls also blocked additional messages; September's number is
88,220 and August's number is 203,704.
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Network and Telecommunication
Services
NTS home |
NEW TELECOM SERVICE PROVIDER
In August the University moved the Internet Access Modem Pool to
a new telecommunications service provider. KMC Telecom - a nationwide
provider of next generation telecommunications infrastructure and
services at the network edge - won the service contract based on
their ability to provide high quality service at a competitive cost:
http://www.kmctelecom.com/about/
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MODEM POOL UPDATE
Since cable modem and DSL services are more readily available, the
University's dial-up modem traffic has decreased significantly.
The new modem pool (from KCM, our new telecom service provider)
offers an all digital service, has 1608 modems (a reduction from
the previous 2015), and for many users has demonstrated noticeably
higher speeds.
UNIVERSITY TELEPHONE LINES MOVED TO SBC
40,000 University telephone lines, presently served through Qwest,
are being moved to SBC, a new service provider. Local Number Portability
(similar to moving your personal phone service to a new provider)
makes this large move possible. NTS has migrated about half of the
University telephone services and expects completion by the first
week in October.
SBC WHO?
SBC companies provide voice and data telecommunications products
and services for consumers and businesses: local, long distance,
DSL, wireless, data networks, and satellite television: http://www.sbc.com
.
OLD SYSTEM FOR EMERGENCY E911 CALLS
The Emergency E911 call in system used at the University for the
past 13 years was developed on site. The current system does not
interact with outside police or emergency services providers; it
does not work well with off campus phones, such as cell phones or
pay phones; and it has a 5-8 second delay in processing a call to
the E911 center.
NEW SYSTEM FOR E911 CALLS IN OCTOBER
NTS is implementing the newest E911 for campus, and it will be put
into service in October, 2004. The new system allows the University
Police to interact with all other metro police agencies and emergency
services. The newer technology allows a 1-second call delivery,
a much faster response from the University Police E911 Center compared
to the older systems.
OCT AND NOV GOPHER GIGANET CUTOVERS
Buildings are cutover to the new Gopher GigaNet backbone at approximately
2,000 connections per week. In October the St. Paul campus, along
with the Como area buildings, Printing and Graphics, and U Stores
should be completed. In November cutovers on East Bank (south of
Washington) are scheduled to begin.
CUTOVER NOTIFICATION
With advance preparation, good audit checks, and the staff ready
each day, the cutover has been progressing smoothly. Voice mail
notification and reminders are sent to everyone with voice mail
boxes in each building before and after cutovers. E-mail updates
are available to those who sign up via the "Track Progress
By Building" link on http://www.umn.edu/nts/networkupgrade
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BUILDING INSTALLATIONS
Installation teams are installing new equipment on the West Bank
and the East Bank in the AHC area, which is done except for Moos
Tower and PWB. Approximately 1,400 switches are installed with 1,200
to go; 450 telecommunications closets installed, 350 remaining;
80 buildings installed, 24 in progress; approximately 132 buildings
remain.
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Academic and
Distributed
Computing
Services
ADCS home |
GET WINDOWS XP SERVICE PACK 2
The Windows XP Update to Service Pack 2 (SP2) is a critical security
patch and will soon be required. SP2 is available for $1.00 and
is limited to one CD per current student, staff, or faculty. The
CD's availabe in 2 places: 1-HELP in 190 Shepherd Labs and University
Computer Services at 2218 University Ave. Computers and other electronic
devices attached to the University network must be regularly maintained,
including applying critical security patches within 60 days after
release by the vendor.
MICROSOFT OFFICE 2003 SECURITY PATCH
Office 2003 has very important security patches for Windows users
at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/default.aspx
. Since these patches are not currently integrated with Windows
update, users must go to that "officeupdate" site to download
the patches.
SECURITY LINKS
See security patch application standard at http://www.umn.edu/oit/security/updates-patches.html
. See safe computing news and links at http://safecomputing.umn.edu/
. See Automating Windows updates at http://www.umn.edu/adcs/help/oitsus/
.
NEW LISTSERV MANAGEMENT TOOL
Setting up and managing a LISTSERV is easier thanks to Internet
Services' listserv management web site at http://lists.umn.edu
. Use it to request a new class- or non-class affiliated listserv,
change passwords, and view and search list archives. If you need
to manage large mailing lists, you should check this out. Currently
there is no charge for this service.
IN SEPTEMBER 1-HELP WAS VERY BUSY
The beginning of the school year is always a busy time with many
new and returning students, staff, and faculty. In September, 1-HELP,
the Technology Helpline, answered over 14,000 calls. Viruses and
problems caused by viruses were the most common questions.
NEW E-MAIL INBOX PROCEDURE
Mail left in your inbox on the central server that is older than
100 days is subject to being archived in a special folder. We will
e-mail instructions to anyone who has their e-mail archived on how
to access the archive folder. This procedure will allow greater
e-mail server efficiency and safety for all users.
VIDEO NETWORK SERVICES
Video Network Services include interactive video conferencing (H.323
and ISDN capability), video streaming, satellite downlinks, and
video tape duplication in most formats, including International
VHS and tape transfers to DVD. For more information and current
rates visit http://www.umn.edu/vns
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WEB DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT LEVEL II IS BACK
This 18-hour course is back, newly revised and updated! Building
upon the skills learned in Web Design and Development Level I, you
will learn how to add multimedia elements and interactivity to web
sites, as well as how to use Cascading Style Sheets effectively.
See http://www.umn.edu/uttc
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REVISED TRAINING: JAVASCRIPT PROGRAMMING FOR THE WEB
In this 6-hour class you will learn basic JavaScript programming
concepts and be able to perform such tasks as: handling browser
compatibility issues; debugging code; getting user input from a
web-based form; and opening customized windows. We also have a JavaScript
class just for the non-programmers. See http://www.umn.edu/uttc
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NEW EXCEL 2002/2003 TRAINING: MANAGE & ANALYZE DATA
Using Excel for keeping track of purchasing, budgets, inventories,
or other large groups of data? This new 7-hour course is packed
with info on advanced data management and analysis tools which will
save you time and generally make your life with Excel easier. See
http://www.umn.edu/uttc .
NEW TRAINING: SAS 8 STATISTICS
Anova. Regression. Logistic Regression. Need an introduction to
using SAS to perform basic exploratory data analysis? This will
get you started! The course is taught using SAS 8.2; however, the
content is relevant to other versions. Prereqs for this course take
place soon. See http://www.umn.edu/uttc
.
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Digital
Media
Center
DMC home |
OCT 8: SIMULATIONS & VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS SEMINAR
Instructors will discuss how they are using technology to enhance
students' exploration of simulated real-life environments and experiences
at the next technology-enhanced learning (TEL) seminar: OCT. 8,
NOON-1:30 P.M., 2-213 CSOM. Learn more at http://dmc.umn.edu/spotlight/simulations.shtml
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OCT 14: FOSTER ONLINE COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION
In this new short course learn about strategies for promoting online
communication and collaboration in technology-enhanced learning
environments, as well as tools you can use such as WebCT Vista,
Breeze, Movable Type, UThink, myU, and Portfolio. See http://training.micro.umn.edu/ShortCourses/ClassDetail.cfm?ClassID=1893
.
OCT: TEL SHORT COURSES
Learn how to enhance learning with tools such as Vista, the newest
version of the WebCT online course management system, Portfolio,
the myU portal, PowerPoint, and more in October technology-enhanced
learning (TEL) short courses. The fee is waived for eligible faculty
members. See http://training.micro.umn.edu/ShortCourses/ClassList2.cfm?Sort=Category#16
.
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The
URL of this document is http://umtechbrief.umn.edu/04/tb1004/tb1004.html
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