Microsoft Communicator 2007 Now Available for Faculty and Staff
Posted onOctober 6, 2009
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E-mail has been a great communication tool for years. Instant messaging programs let you talk to friends quickly.
Have you ever wanted a tool that combines the usefulness of e-mail contact features with the real-time convenience of a chat program?
The solution might be Office Communicator 2007 for Windows (Mac Messenger 7.0 for Mac), an instant messaging program now available to ECU faculty and staff. With many advanced features, Communicator 2007 works with your Outlook address book and calendar so that:
• You communicate securely with ECU colleagues
• You can refer back to saved conversations in your Outlook mailbox
• You can see when a colleague is available to chat
But Communicator 2007 is so much more than an instant messaging program:
• Hold computer video/audio calls w/students (coming with Outlook Live, Spring ‘10)
• Switch from a one-to-one call to a conference call
• Share documents through a data sharing session with a class group
• Not in your office? Access Communicator from the Web
Communicator 2007 for Windows is available from download.ecu.edu . Sign in using your piratemail address/passphrase and choose the Microsoft Applications category. Mac users should download Mac Messenger 7.0 or use the Communicator Web Access application.
To learn more, visit http://www.ecu.edu/cs-itcs/communicator2007/index.cfm. For support questions or to schedule a demo for your group, call the IT Help Desk at 252.328.9866/1.800.340.7081.
Mobile “vishing” Rivals E-mail “phishing” as Growing Cyber Threat
Posted onOctober 2, 2009
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First there were online “phishing” scams through fraudulent e-mail. Now there’s “vishing,” or voice phishing, which seeks to fool users into giving up personal information through their mobile phones. Some attackers purport to sell extended car warranties, others pretend to be from your credit union or credit card company. You’ll notice that the caller ID number will look legitimate.
Recently, I received a call where a recorded voice stated that this important call from my credit card company concerned lowering my interest rate, and I needed to immediately call a toll-free number. After ending the call, I realized that I’d been “vished.”
According to a CNET news article from May 19 of this year, criminals mask their true phone number with ID spoofing while using social engineering tricks to obtain account information or to sell consumers bogus products. Many times this call includes making the recipient feel there’s a problem with his/her account or offering a fantastic deal on expensive merchandise, much the same as a phishing e-mail does.
Protect Yourself Through Awareness
Whether it’s through e-mail or your mobile phone, phishing/vishing scams are a growing threat. However, awareness is one way we protect ourselves from cyber threats, identity theft and the other pesky pitfalls of our digital life.
Remember, if you receive a phone call or an e-mail requesting personal information or offering a fantastic deal that seems too good to be true, the easiest thing you can do to protect yourself is to:
Press the “End” button on your phone or delete the e-mail
WITHOUT RESPONDING.
Are You at Risk?
Want to know if you’re at risk? Take the Fraud Risk Test from, LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com, a consumer fraud education site jointly funded by the US Postal Inspection Service and the FBI. Here you can learn about the latest threats, types of fraud and victim stories.
What Can I Do to Stay Safe?
Posted onSeptember 30, 2009
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According to the anti-phishing group, Antiphishing.org, the number of unique phishing Web sites detected in June 2009 rose to 49,084—the second highest number recorded since APWG began reporting this measurement.
During the month of October, ECU is conducting a phishing scam education campaign to celebrate National Cyber Security Awareness Month.
So, first ask yourself, “What can I do to stay safe on the Internet?”
Next, make sure you follow these very simple steps:
1. NEVER reveal your passphrase to anyone.
2. Legitimate businesses NEVER request personal information through e-mail.
3. If an e-mail asks for personal information, DELETE that e-mail.
4. If you’re unsure call the business directly, do not call the phone number in the e-mail.
5. E-mail alerts from ECU always originate from ITCS Notifications and are listed on the ITCS Help Desk home page.
6. If you have provided account information, change your password immediately at http://pirateid.ecu.edu/.
7. Never click the links in an e-mail.
8. Symantec SAV software for your home computer is available at http://download.ecu.edu.
9. Keep your operating system and other software up to date.
For more information on phishing scams and other security-related topics, visit http://www.staysafeonline.org/.
Transfer Analog VHS to Digital DVD and Save the Memories
Posted onSeptember 24, 2009
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You may have noticed the quality of your VHS tapes is not as clear as it used to be. You may have found it harder to purchase blank VHS tapes. Or you may have scrambled to find a classroom equipped with a VCR.
Why not consider transferring your hard work from analog VHS format to a digital format? It’s easy and ITCS is here to help.
There are several good reasons to consider transferring your VHS tapes to DVD format. First, after many showings, VHS tapes start to deteriorate, along with the quality of your data. Transferring that data to DVD format will save the quality, plus DVDs do not fade, break or tangle the same as a VHS tape. Secondly, once a machine breaks down, it may not be replaced as it is becoming difficult to purchase VCRs. This will make it more and more difficult to find classrooms equipped with a VCR.
If you’re interested in converting your VHS tapes to DVD format, but you don’t know how, first enter an online IT Help Desk request or call 252.328.9866. A member of the Smart Classroom team will contact you for a consultation in the Walk-in IT Help Desk (Austin 103/Health Sciences Building 3330). During the consult, you’ll be coached on how to use the direct transfer equipment. From then on, work at your own pace to transfer your VHS tapes to DVD.
A note about copyright. You are required to sign the Copyright Ownership Verification Form, Standard Agreement before beginning this project. This ensures that you have read and understand the copyright statements, and that if you are transferring copyrighted material, you have provided the necessary permission letter.
Try Autodesk’s Latest 3D Design Products
Posted onSeptember 22, 2009
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Autodesk, the designers of AutoCAD, have created a new Autodesk Student Community site where users create an account to become a member of their education community. Members can download—free of charge—Autodesk’s latest 3D design products, including Inventor Professional, Revit Building and Civil 3D for their personal use.
Access step-by-step tutorials for these products, post questions for the Autodesk experts as well as network with other student community members around the world.
Visit http://students.autodesk.com to become a member today.