New Malware Alert and Technology Service Reminders Listed for Students
Information Resources and Technologies (IRT) welcomes you back to campus with a reminder about computing security and technology services provided to students. Check out the IRT website for more information and follow IRT on Facebook and Twitter to see the most up-to-date news and technology alerts.
New Malware Threat and Anti-Virus Software
There is a new form of malware circulating called “Reveton,” which blocks file access and pops up a message that looks like it is from the FBI, asking for payment of a fine. Reveton can be installed simply by clicking on an infected website. Read more about Reveton on the FBI website.
To safeguard a computer, keep the computer and anti-virus software up to date. Information on safe computing practices along with free Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) anti-virus for UST faculty, staff and students is available on the Security section of the IRT website.
Phishing: Don’t Take the Bait
IRT sees several phishing attempts at St. Thomas on an almost daily basis. Phishing emails attempt to trick users into providing confidential information by posing as legitimate emails, asking for a username and password. Responding to phishing emails allows phishers to log into accounts to access personal information, or use accounts to spam the community with more phishing attempts. IRT will never ask for a username and password through email.
Technology Services for Students
Configuring Mobile Devices to Receive UST Email: In order to use a smart phone on UST’s network, students must first log in through St. Thomas’ network authentication system. The IRT Tech Desk can add student smart phones permanently into the university’s system so that students won't have to re-enter their NetID usernames and passwords when traveling to different locations on campus. Laptop computers cannot be added to the security database.
IRT also provides Exchange Active Sync to sync student emails, contacts and calendars to UST. Devices connected to Active Sync require the use of a four-character password to authenticate for security purposes. See the Mobile Device section of the IRT website for instructions.
Configuring a Gaming Console: Game consoles used in the dorms have to be added to UST’s network by the Tech Desk. To add your game console, fill out the form on the IRT website.
Printing on Campus: UST has a print-management system in place to encourage responsible printing. Students are given a $40 allotment for printing per semester, with a carryover of unused prints from one semester to the next. Black-and-white prints are 10 cents and color prints are 25 cents – for an allotment of 400 sheets per semester. Duplex printing is available in the libraries and not only saves money but also is environmentally friendly. Make sure to think before you click “print.”
To check your printing activity, log into Portal and click “current printing activities” under the “Applications” menu.
MyStorage: Each student is allotted 500 MB of storage space on the UST servers, which that are backed up nightly. MyStorage can be accessed on any UST computer under the U: drive or by direct mapping to a student’s personal computer.
Reminder: Set Up NetID Challenge Questions. Once student passwords expire, they can change it themselves only if they previously have filled out their challenge questions. IRT strongly recommends visiting www.stthomas.edu/password to set up your challenge questions.
For technology support, contact the IRT Tech Desk, (651) 962-6230, or stop by IRT walk-up locations in Room LL08, O’Shaughnessy Educational Center, on the St. Paul campus or at Scholars in Opus Hall on the Minneapolis campus.
