IT Matters

Secure your Zoom virtual meetings.

As we progress into the Spring Semester, we ask you to review the following best practices for securing your Zoom meetings:

  • Do not post your Zoom meeting information on social media platforms. Posting your meeting information on social media ( i.e. Twitter or Facebook) opens the door for anyone (including unwanted guests) to join your meeting.
  • Turn on Your Waiting Room. This feature provides a virtual waiting room for your attendees and allows you to admit individual meeting participants. Instructions on Waiting Rooms.
  • Require a Passcode to Join. This feature enables only those with the
    passcode to join your scheduled meetings. To learn all the ways to add a passcode for your meetings, view this support article.

Review the Best Practices for Securing Your Zoom Meetings guide for additional ways to stay secure. Visit our Zoom webpage for additional information.

Security Spotlight: Tax Season Scams

As the tax season nears, we would like to remind everyone to stay vigilant and to protect your personal and financial information.

The IRS offers the following guidance to identify and avoid scams:

  • Text message scams: Text message phishing—also called “smishing”—occurs when scam artists use deceptive text messages to lure consumers into providing their personal or financial information. During tax season, scams are sent to taxpayers’ smartphones and have referenced COVID-19 and/or “stimulus payments.” These messages often contain bogus links. The IRS does not use text messages to discuss personal tax issues.
  • Email phishing scams: Email Phishing scams use fake websites constructed to look identical to real sites. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. The IRS initiates most contacts through regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service.
  • Phone scams: Criminals can fake or “spoof” caller ID numbers to appear to be anywhere in the country, including from an IRS office.
    The IRS does not leave pre-recorded, urgent or threatening messages. In many variations of the phone scam, victims are told if they do not call back, a warrant will be issued for their arrest.

Adapted from “IRS Warning: Scammers Work Year-Round; Stay Vigilant | Internal Revenue Service.” Www.irs.gov, Internal Revenue Service, 1 Feb. 2022, www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warning-scammers-work-year-round-stay-vigilant. Accessed 11 Feb. 2022.

MISO Survey: Your Feedback is Important to Us

MISO Survey Launches on February 17

On February 17, many of you will be asked to participate in the Measuring Information Systems Outcomes (MISO) Survey. This survey provides a framework to assess the frequency of use, importance, satisfaction, and knowledge about our campus library and technology services.

Your feedback is very important to us. We hope you will set aside some time to make a difference!

Add your number to the Do Not Call list

On December 3, 2021 a new amendment was enacted that now allows business and wireless numbers to be registered for the Do Not Call list. The submission of phone numbers no longer expire.

To register any phone number on the Do Not Call list, please follow one of the following directions:

Online:

  1. Go to donotcall.gov
  2. Enter up to 3 numbers you wish to register and your email
  3. You will need to verify the registry through an email you will receive

Phone:

  1. Call 1-888-382-1222  from the number you want to register
  2. Select Option 2 to register your number
  3. Enter your 10 digit number

 

Security Vulnerability: Update to the latest version of Zoom on your devices

Zoom has announced a security update for the Zoom client on all major devices (Mac, PC, iPhone, Android, etc.). The latest version (released on November 28, 2021 version 5.8.6) of the Zoom software patches a vulnerability.

We recommend that all Zoom users check for a software update anywhere Zoom is installed. Any client below 5.8.4 must be upgraded.

How To Update Zoom

Zoom provides a pop-up notification when there is a new mandatory or optional update within 24 hours of logging in.
If you already have the Zoom desktop client installed:
* Sign in to the Zoom desktop client (type Zoom in the Search bar on a PC, and Launchpad or Finder>Applications on a Mac)
* Click your profile picture
* Click Check for Updates
* Follow the prompts to complete the update

On a mobile device, check the app store for updates.

Zoom Storage Reminder

Our Zoom license provides users with limited cloud storage. Information Technology will monitor the storage and we remind users to review their cloud recordings to allow for continued cloud storage through next semester.

Users can choose to delete their recordings, or download them as an MP4 file and save to OneDrive. Make sure to delete the recordings from the cloud once they have been transferred.

Visit our Zoom webpage for instructions and additional information.

Campus Wireless Upgrades

Back in 2019, the Infrastructure Services team began its campus network infrastructure upgrade project by upgrading and replacing the wireless infrastructure and network switches in the first year student residence halls, allowing for faster wireless network speeds (Phase 1).

In the coming months, the Infrastructure Services team will be commencing Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the project. Phase 2 will involve the upgrade of the wireless infrastructure and network equipment at the remaining student residence halls, and Phase 3 will involve an infrastructure and network upgrade for all academic spaces and the Chapman Lake facility.

All work is expected to be completed before the start of the fall semester in 2022.

New Webpage: Hardware/Software/Third-Party Vendor Request Procedure

Information Technology has various processes in place for the procurement of computer hardware, software and services. These processes improve efficiency, ensure appropriate justification/approvals, and increase value of hardware, services and software procurement.

Review the IT Hardware/Software/Third-party Vendor Request Procedures webpage to find out about submissions/approvals, timelines, contract review and asset disposal. This webpage also links to the Higher Education Cloud Vendor Assessment Tool (HECVAT), which all potential cloud vendors must complete before signing a contract.

Mac Updates: Jamf and macOS Monterey

Jamf

Jamf is a comprehensive management tool for Apple devices. This software allows IT and Mac users to better manage the lifecycle of all Apple devices. Once installed, the end users will be able to use the Self Service feature to install applications that have been vetted by IT.

If you do not have Jamf or Self Service installed on your Mac (Finder> Applications> Self Service) you can expect to receive a call from IT staff to install this software.

macOS Monterey

The newest version of the Macintosh operating system is now available for download and install. Monterey (macOS 12) comes none too soon as end users are getting antsy about issues created by Big Sur that could not be overcome.

Monterey fixes all of these issues, the most prevalent one on our campus being the inability to print to shared departmental devices.

To upgrade your device to Monterey, go to Finder>System Preferences>Software Update. If you would like an IT technician to assist you with your installation, please contact the Technology Support Center or submit a Royal IT Support ticket.

You’re going to need Chips to go with your Salsa

Global supply chain issues and the computer chip shortage continue to worsen and are not expected to end until late 2022 and possibly longer. The upcoming holiday season will only increase delivery delays.

If your department has funds for FY2021-2022 earmarked for IT equipment of any type, please remember that all items must physically arrive on campus prior to May 31, 2022 to be charged to the current fiscal year.

We recommend that you make purchases as soon as possible. IT has equipment on order since early summer that is just now starting to arrive. Any charges posted after June 1, 2022 will be charged against next fiscal year FY2022-2023. Please be aware that some merchants do not submit their charges until the order is fulfilled and not the purchase date.

Please enter a Royal IT Support ticket for all requests:
1. Go to Royal IT Support
2. Select Request a Service
3. Click on Computers & Software
4. Select the type of equipment/software you are requesting and complete the required information

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