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April 22, 2013

Today's topics:

Red Rover IP address conflict

If your laptop reports an IP address conflict when you (re)connect your laptop to a Red Rover wireless network, turn off your laptop's wireless network, then turn it back on. This will submit a fresh request for an IP address to CIT's DHCP server, which should resolve the conflict.

If possible, submit an error report with as much detail as possible to CIT support (https://www.it.cornell.edu/support/) and email a copy to service-classe@cornell.edu

Security Alert: Boston Marathon and Fertilizer Plant Explosion Email Fraud On the Rise

We are seeing an increased number of email fraud attempts with reference to the terrible tragedies that occurred at the Boston Marathon and the West Texas fertilizer plant explosion.

Many of the precautions outlined by the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) are relevant in this case:
  • Do not respond to any unsolicited (spam) incoming e-mails, including by clicking links contained within those messages, because they may contain computer viruses.
  • Beware of organizations with copycat names similar to, but not exactly the same, as those of reputable charities. [Within minutes of any disaster, new websites are registered with names that relate to the event.]
  • Rather than following a purported link to a website, verify the existence and legitimacy of non-profit organizations by using Internet- based resources [like Google]. Most legitimate charities maintain websites ending in .org rather than .com.
  • Be cautious of emails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files, because those files may contain viruses. Don't download or forward images or video from unknown sources.
  • Do not give your personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions. Providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.
  • Use trusted Internet news channels for information and video footage of the events. Fake YouTube pages, which request a Flash download, could install malware instead.

For a full list, see http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/justice-department-officials-raise-awareness-of-disaster-fraud-hotline

Cornell's IT Security Office recommends the following:

For a history of this alert, see: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/services/alert.cfm?id=2566

Computer Security Awareness Survey

Cornell's IT Security Office is developing an Internet and Security Awareness Training Program designed to educate faculty, staff, students, and affiliates on the security related issues inherent in our constantly changing and complex technology landscape.

Some topics that will be covered include "Email SPAM, Phishing and Fraud - Recognition and Prevention", "Safe Internet Browsing - Pr event Viruses and Stolen Personal Information", and "Tablet and Smartphone Security - Keeping your Data and Services Safe".

The IT Security Office invites you to take a few minutes to complete the survey to share your interest in various topics, as well as a few additional questions on how you'd like to participate in the events. Feedback is vital to developing programs that will fit your needs -- so please take this opportunity to complete the survey and answer the follow-up questions. Thank you for helping the IT Security Office gain a more in-depth understanding of your organization's perspectives and needs.

To take the Qualtrics survey, please go to: https://cornell.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1Xs2GRV6rWl88Xr



General network and server maintenance will occur every Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM. The CLASSE-IT group will always announce any expected disruptions in our NewsLetter and via CLASSE-IT-NEWS-L, but with the size and complexity of our network there is always the potential for something to go wrong. We will do our best to contain all network maintenance and planned outages to Tuesdays from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM.

Unless other arrangements have been made, CLASSE-managed Windows systems may be updated and rebooted on Tuesday morning at 2:00 AM, so please avoid critical or lengthy operations at that time. For more details, please see SystemExpectations.


Questions or problems? Submit a service request.

Other resources:


This topic: Computing > Computing/CmpGrp > CmpgrpLinks > NewsLetter > NewsletterApril222013
Topic revision: 22 Apr 2013, JamesPulver
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