Current Issue

Archive

About

Contact the Tech Brief

Subscription Info



OIT Home

Archive: September 7, 2005

No contacts? No links? No problem: send your inquiries and comments to oitbrief@umn.edu.
Please feel free to send us feedback at any time

Security and
Internet Services

Security home

DON'T GET SPEARED!
"Spear phishing" is a new tactic in "phishing" - fraudulent communication that is intended to steal online or financial credentials. E-mail purporting to be from an executive in a company or organization is sent to a member of that group in order to acquire sensitive information (e.g., passwords) that allow the attacker entry into the target. More here: http://www.computerworld.com/printthis/2005/0,4814,104000,00.html .

GIVE WISELY: HURRICANE KATRINA SCAMS
The SANS's Internet Storm Center (ISC) has been reporting malicious use of this tragedy to load malware from fraudulent websites or to deceive people into giving money. Search for Katrina here: http://isc.sans.org/index.php?on=istsnews .

HOW TO GIVE WISELY?
If you're looking for a safe way to help out, FEMA lists organizations that accept cash donations as well as materials/volunteer contributions. See http://www.fema.gov/press/2005/katrinadonations.shtm .

SPAM AND VIRUS STATS
In July, 2005 central e-mail spam controls blocked 12,243,966 messages. Anti-virus controls blocked an additional 37,092 messages. In August, 2005 central e-mail spam controls blocked 11,585,183 messages. Anti-virus controls blocked an additional 32,612 messages.

Network and Telecommunication
Services

NTS home

GIGANET PERFORMANCE
All Gopher GigaNet edge node operating system codes were upgraded to correct a problem causing intermittent service disruption. The problem was causing the switches to stop passing traffic until reset manually. NTS engineers have the code fix and updated all core node switches on August 19-25 in the early morning. NTS will continue to track performance and network stability during the acceptance period of the new Gopher GigaNet.

UPDATE: GIGANET CUTOVER COMPLETE
Gopher GigaNet cutover is officially completed. All campus buildings and over 50,000 Etherjack connections are now added to the new network. Clean up and audit of all communications closets is under way.

GIGANET: NEXT PHASE
The next phase of the upgrade, planning for the IP renumbering, firewall additions, and new service delivery (Service Gateway) is under final planning. Look for more information on the project website: http://www.umn.edu/nts/networkupgrade .

INFRASTRUCTURE WIRING UPGRADE
As part of the campus communications closet infrastructure wiring upgrades, NTS is working to update Smith, Kolthoff, and Burton Halls. More buildings will be upgraded throughout the year as scheduled with the project.

UPDATE: UNIFIED MESSAGING
NTS is preparing Unified Messaging, the University of Minnesota new voice messaging system, for installation in the next four months. We anticipate installation before February 2006.

CODE BLUE PHONES, CAMPUS PHONES, PAY PHONES
Code Blue phones are available for emergency use; find them on a map at the Department of Central Security website: http://www.umn.edu/dcs/Blue_Light.htm . Campus phones are still supported throughout campus buildings. Campus pay phones are gradually disappearing from campus. NTS will continue to keep key locations available to the campus community.

CREDIT CARD SAFETY
Network engineers have been working with OIT Security to configure the network to provide isolation for computers and servers handling credit card information for the Twin Cities campus. This configuration provides for filters on traffic that is able to move from and to these credit card applications to avoid unnecessary exposure to the Internet and security threats at large.

VoIP INSTALLATION
NTS established its first totally VoIP (voice over IP) installation supporting the U's financial system project. While this installation did not provide significant savings over regular U of M telephone installations, it proves that, under the right circumstances, VoIP is a viable option for larger installations to extend the University's telephone system to off campus locations.

COMING TO TC CAMPUS: NEW PHONE FUNCTIONALITY
NTS engineers are working to release new telephone functionality for Twin Cities telephone users by enabling CLASS (Custom Local Area Signaling Service) functionality. The new features (examples below) will be available at no cost to all University telephone users.

EXAMPLES: NEW PHONE FUNCTIONS
You can look forward to new telephone features such as anonymous caller rejection, selective call forward, caller ID block and unblock, remote access to feature control, timed hold, and more. The features have been tested in a lab environment, and NTS is creating online documentation. Stay tuned to the NTS website for additional information.

UPDATE: NTS WORK ORDERS
NTS Work orders for August reached a new high – around 1780 requests for moves, adds, or changes for voice or data. Summer months, before and after the financial calendar, are historically very high work periods at NTS. With the completion of the Gopher GigaNet, the summer of 2005 was a record setting season for NTS since the Telephone Upgrade Project.

Academic and
Distributed
Computing
Services

ADCS home

NEW INTERNET (X.500) PASSWORD REQUIREMENT
Starting Monday, Sept. 12, 2005 the minimum number of characters for an Internet password will be 8 (the current minimum is 6). As before, new passwords are strength tested - meaning you will receive an error if you have not chosen a secure enough password. More: http://www.umn.edu/oit/newsletter/05/0305_itn/passwords.html .

CHANGE IN E-MAIL AUTOFILING FROM 100 TO 90 DAYS
To enable the University mail system to run more smoothly, the U recently began archiving e-mail for accounts that have over 20MB in their e-mail inbox that is also more than 100 days old. That number has been changed to 90 days old. Messages are not deleted but are autofiled to special folders. See http://www.umn.edu/adcs/accounts/emailautofiling.html .

NEW LINK: MANAGE YOUR INTERNET ACCOUNT
Can't remember what links to access to change your Enterprise or Internet passwords? See the new link on the University's portal, myU. Once you've signed in to myU, click the "myU Home" tab. Then, on the left, select the "Manage your Internet account" link under the Technology Resources grouping. Access myU from http://www.umn.edu/twincities .

NEW ONLINE UMCAL ORIENTATION
The beginning of the new school year is always hectic, but UMCal (UM Calendar) can help you manage your time. Now you can learn more about UMCal from the comfort of your own desk. How's that for efficiency? Visit the "Free Orientations" link to watch the new online orientation: http://uttc.umn.edu .

NEW LEARNING BYTES! MICROSOFT OFFICE MINI-SERIES
Are you too busy to spend a day - or even half a day - on computer training? Learning Bytes is a new task-based training program covering a variety of topics - each in under an hour! Learning Bytes is kicking off with a Microsoft Office mini-series. Bring your lunch. Learn new skills in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. For more information see http://uttc.umn.edu .

EXPANDED TIMES FOR FREE TRAINING FOR CLA STUDENTS
The CLA Infotech Fees Committee and University Technology Training Center offer non-credit computer training to currently enrolled undergraduates in CLA with topics ranging from Dreamweaver to Microsoft Office to Photoshop. This fall we are offering a brand-new Final Cut Express HD Basics class, as well as selected courses in the evenings and on weekends. For more information, see http://getwired.umn.edu .

COMPUTER SAFETY IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS
Before students can sign onto the University's network from the Residence Halls they must log in to RACS (ResNet Access System), a scanning system that improves network security. To successfully log in they must also have installed the U's licensed version of SAV antivirus software. However, to allow students time to uninstall other antivirus software, the SAV requirement won't be enforced until Sept. 15. See the FAQ at http://www.resnet.umn.edu/ .

Digital
Media
Center

DMC home

EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONSULTATIONS
DMC consultants can help faculty members and their assistants teach with WebCT Vista and other technologies and evaluate outcomes. Call 612-625-5055 or e-mail dmc@umn.edu to set up an appointment.

SEPT 20 & 22: FUNDING TEL PROJECTS COURSE
Learn how to improve your chances of winning a University of Minnesota technology-enhanced learning (TEL) grant in our a six-hour seminar. Fees are waived for eligible faculty members. To register, see http://uttc.umn.edu/training/courses/description.jsp?secName=TEL141. For details about the TEL Grant Program, see http://dmc.umn.edu/grants/ .

REMINDER: FALL TA WEB TRAINING BEGINS SEPT 21
This fall, the popular TA Web Certification Program is offered twice as a non-credit program. The first session begins SEPT 21. Students learn about Web-based teaching and learning strategies and Web design and development techniques. See http://dmc.umn.edu/ta-web/schedule.shtml .

OCT 5 TEL SEMINAR: EFFECTING PROGRAMMATIC CHANGE
Panelists will discuss how the use of learning technologies affords faculty members, departments, and colleges the capacity to effect change at a curricular or programmatic level: OCT 5, NOON-1:30 P.M., 402 WALTER LIBRARY. The seminar also will be broadcast online. See http://dmc.umn.edu/series/fall05.shtml#1 .

The URL of this document is http://umtechbrief.umn.edu/05/tb0905/tb0905.html
E-mail UM Tech Brief website comments to oitbrief@umn.edu