Monthly Archives: January 2017

Update Notifications

Microsoft Security Patches – January

On January 10th, 2017, Microsoft released security patches for:

  • Windows 10, 8.1, 7, Vista
  • Windows servers 2016, 2012, 2008
  • Microsoft Office 2016

We strongly encourage you to apply these patches to your PC as soon as possible. For information about these updates please visit:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms17-jan.aspx

Click on the Windows logo located on the lower left hand corner of your computer screen, a menu will appear, click on “Control Panel”.
Once in the Control Panel, type the words “windows update” in the Search Control Panel field located in the upper right hand corner. As you do, the following screen will immediately appear.

Now, in the upper left handle corner, click the words “check for update”. This screen will appear

Click the “Check for updates” button to begin the checking. The following screen will appear after the checking is completed. All Important Updates must be installed. Click the “Install updates” button to begin the installation. You will need to reboot your computer to finish the installation later.

Alternatively, if you are using Internet Explorer you can click on Tools > and select Windows Update to install the latest security patches.
For questions please call the Service Desk at 617-287-5220 or via email at ITServiceDesk@umb.edu.
Alert

Phone Service Disruption – January 12, 2017

[Update: All campus phone service has been restored.]

We have identified the root cause of the campus phone service disruption as an off-campus issue with one of our vendor services. This is the failure of physical cabling in Dorchester over which our incoming and outgoing calls are routed. The vendor is actively working to repair the problem but, at this point, we do not have a predicted resolution time from the vendor.

This service issue impacts all our inbound/outbound phone services, both the heritage analog service and the new and expanding VOIP service. Calls within campus are not impacted. The impact is for all calls coming into campus and campus calls dialing off campus.

We will provide the next update either when the service is restored or in approximately two hours should the issue persist. We are continuously working with our vendor to remedy this situation as soon as possible.

 

News, Phishing, Security

PHISHING WALL OF SHAME – “Academic Dishonesty”

Scammers are willing to invest the time to trick you!

Phishing is a type of cyber scam designed to trick you into giving your personal information.

Today’s example was reported by a few users who could tell something smelled phishy!

phishing-stack9

In this example, there is no obvious request for money or personal info! The scammer went so far as using a real staff person’s name and title, and even referring to the correct section of the UMass Code of Conduct! That’s crafty! At first even we IT staff weren’t sure if maybe this was a real email…

How can you know when a legit looking email is a scam?
Trust your gut, and verify!

★ Be suspicious of unexpected notifications
★ Call the real staff person and ask if the message is real

We got in touch with the real department referred to in the email and they told us it was not real! The scammer is weaving a story about “Academic Dishonesty” by a UMass Boston student. It’s a serious matter, but the message never makes an obvious request for money or personal info. In these “long-cons”, an email like this is the first step in building a relationship of trust between the scammer and the recipient. The scammer hopes you’ll bite and reply, and then the inevitable trap will spring!

If you are suspicious of a file, link, website, or email, you can contact the IT department to ask if it may be a scam. Forward a copy of a suspicious email to abuse@umb.edu.

Always remember…

Don’t take the bait! IT will NEVER ask you for your password. Phishing emails attempt to deceive​ you into giving up your private information by leading you to fraudulent websites. Learn more at:
http://www.umb.edu/it/getting_services/security/phishing/

Update Notifications

Microsoft Security Patches – December

On December 13th, 2016, Microsoft released security patches for:

  • Windows 10, 8.1, 7, Vista
  • Windows servers 2016, 2012, 2008
  • Microsoft Office 2016, 2013; 2010, 2007

We strongly encourage you to apply these patches to your PC as soon as possible. For information about these updates please visit:

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms16-dec.aspx

Click on the Windows logo located on the lower left hand corner of your computer screen, a menu will appear, click on “Control Panel”.
Once in the Control Panel, type the words “windows update” in the Search Control Panel field located in the upper right hand corner. As you do, the following screen will immediately appear.

Now, in the upper left handle corner, click the words “check for update”. This screen will appear

Click the “Check for updates” button to begin the checking. The following screen will appear after the checking is completed. All Important Updates must be installed. Click the “Install updates” button to begin the installation. You will need to reboot your computer to finish the installation later.

Alternatively, if you are using Internet Explorer you can click on Tools > and select Windows Update to install the latest security patches.
For questions please call the Service Desk at 617-287-5220 or via email at ITServiceDesk@umb.edu.