Introducing Windows Internet Explorer 7
Windows
Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) is the first major update to Microsoft's Web browser
in several years. Our goal is to deliver Windows Internet Explorer 7 over
the Holiday Break so as to minimize any disruption that might occur during
the academic semester. We are tentatively planning to publish IE7 to the
campus network for desktops and laptops during the week of December 18th.
Once the new browser is available your computer will recognize it and install
it for you.
Windows Internet Explorer 7 (http://www.microsoft.com/ie) has several improvements over its predecessor. The new browser includes tabbed browsing, anti-Phishing filters, RSS support, a built-in search, and several other improvements. IE7 also sports a new interface that ties in with the interface changes that are coming in the next version of the Windows operating system, Windows Vista. Please visit the IE7 Web site for more information about the improvements and changes.
You may have already received the updated browser on your home computer via Microsoft's Automatic Update service. The new browser works with your current preferences and favorites and will automatically import your favorites/bookmarks from Internet Explorer 6.
On October 18th Microsoft published the English version of the Web browser for download on their Web site (http://www.microsoft.com) and on November 1st published it to Microsoft's Automatic Update service. We have been internally testing the new Web browser with our University's infrastructure with much success. We have found a few potential stumbling blocks and documented explanations of those items. The explanations have been published in our new online Knowledge Base located at http://servicedesk.capital.edu. See the article FootPrints - The Revolution of Incident Reporting! for more information about this new service. Once at the site you will need to login with your username and password and browse the Knowledge Base for articles related to IE7.
It is important to note that Windows Internet Explorer 7 requires an initial configuration. You will need to complete the required component of the configuration. If you do not complete the required portion IE7 will continually prompt you for the information. Details about this setup can be found in our online Knowledge Base.
If you encounter any problems, please contact the I.T. Service Desk at x6508 and we will resolve the problem.
Single Sign-on Required
Beginning
the week of December 18th, anyone wanting to use a "public" computer on
main campus will need to log in with a valid Capital e-mail username and
password. This authentication process should only take a few seconds and
it will help prevent the unauthorized use of valuable resources, help reduce
the risk of computer viruses and worms being unleashed onto the University
network, and should increase the availability of these "public" computers
for legitimate University use.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Dr. Albert Maag in the library (x6241) or the I/T Service Desk (x6508).
Phishing at MySpace
The
popular social networking website MySpace used to be a much simpler place.
Then came the predators and MySpace users quickly learned not to post personally
identifiable information. Then came the recruiters and MySpace users learned
not to post embarrassing photographs of themselves lest they not get hired.
Now it appears MySpace users are being targeted with phishing attacks.
Recently an Internet security firm, WebSense, discovered a phishing attack targeting users of MySpace. The attack comes in the form of a hyperlink in an AOL instant messaging message. Users who follow the link are taken to a bogus website that spoofs the MySpace.com login page. The ruse is designed to fool users into handing over account information to crooks. Surfers duped into handing over this information are subsequently forwarded to the real MySpace.com website.
To keep from being a phishing victim,
1. Do not open eMail messages or IM messages from people you do not know.
2. Do not click on links in your eMail or IM messages from your bank or
MySpace asking you to do something. Instead, open your browser, go directly
to your bank's or MySpace's website, log in, and continue there.
3. Better still, contact your bank or the MySpace administrator directly
but don't use the phone number that is located in the eMail! Many
enterprising crooks actually set up toll-free 800 numbers to lure people
into calling rather than using the bogus website.
For more information, visit www.antiphishing.org.
Service Desk Hours for December 2006
Technical Issues in the Classroom
In
order for technical issues in the classroom to be resolved in a timely manner,
it must be reported early. If you find that the audio/visual or computer
equipment is not functioning correctly in any classroom, please report the
issue immediately to the IT Service Desk (x6508).
A service desk technician will create a ticket for the incident and dispatch it immediately to the appropriate repair specialist. Together, we can help keep the classrooms healthy and functioning for your teaching needs.
FootPrints- The Revolution of Incident Reporting!
Managing incidents and service request through a variety of communication resources can be challenging without the proper technical support tools. Improving service quality is a goal that The Department of Information Technology (IT) will accomplish with the release of FootPrints, an award-winning, 100% web-based incident management tracking system!
FootPrints is a comprehensive system which will aid IT in:
- Streamlining and automating customer support operations;
- Expanding valuable communication between agents and customers throughout the problem management lifecycle;
- Achieving greater levels of efficiency in customer problem resolution;
- Enhancing the service support experience for both the customer and IT agents
With the release of FootPrints, you as the customer will have the option and capability to submit and track your own requests as well as have access to a 24/7 on-line technical knowledgebase. Information Technology is currently working on rolling out FootPrints in January 2007.