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IT Services warns not to take the bait
Oct 18th, 2023
graphic reading cybersecurity requires a team effort

Phishing attempts rank as one of the most prevalent types of fraud — the most-reported in Canada in 2022, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

It takes many forms including email, text, call, and voicemail, all aiming to access an individual’s personal information. Vigilance is key in identifying phishing attempts and empowers the campus community to defend itself against would-be attackers.

Information Technology Services offers five tips to avoid getting phished:

  1. Evaluate the email or text request type.
  2. Examine the sender’s name and email address carefully for inconsistencies.
  3. Review the message for urgency or out of the norm solicitations.
  4. Check links found within the email by hovering over it.
  5. Beware of requests to access your computer.

Individuals should even use caution when responding to what looks like an internal email message or a reputable vendor. Hackers attempt to impersonate familiar people, to get you to let your guard down.

Suppose you think the message is legitimate, but have a suspicion. In that case, you should contact the sender through a different communication channel to verify the message. Do not respond to the potential hacker through the original message.

“We continue to help community members who experienced attempts to comprise their accounts,” says Marcin Pulcer, interim executive director of IT Services. “Hackers play the guise of providing a helpful service. It could not be further from the truth resulting in personal data and productivity loss. While these types of phishing attempts may seem on an individual level, the threat could lead to a campus-wide problem.”

MS Outlook offers a way to report phishing email attempts within the application. It is useful to report the message as it helps improve the effectiveness of filtering the nefarious messages to your Junk Mail folder. Otherwise, report the message to spam@uwindsor.ca.

Find examples of phishing messages on the Cybersecurity Awareness website to brush up your skills to prevent phishing attacks.

If you think you have had your UWin Account compromised, report it to the IT Service Desk at 519-253-3000, ext. 4440, and change your UWin Account password immediately.

Led by IT Services, Cybersecurity Awareness Month efforts highlight cybersecurity issues relevant to the UWindsor community. More information can be found at uwindsor.ca/cybersecurity.

Tips for protecting yourself on the web
Oct 11th, 2023
Cybersecrity is a team effort.

In 2021, about 75 per cent of all fraud reports lodged with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre were linked to cyber-related incidents. It’s timelier than ever for individuals to gain knowledge and take measures to protect against cybercrime. Learn how to protect yourself and the campus community.

Safe Browsing Habits

Before you venture online, ensure your device is in peak condition by using a browser with the latest updates. Connect securely via the University’s GlobalProtect VPN, especially when off-campus and connecting to public Wi-Fi. Another useful tip is to streamline your browsing experience by designating specific browsers for work and personal use.

Navigate the web cautiously and steer clear of dubious websites. Scrutinize links before clicking, especially in emails or ones offering something that is too good to be true.

When shopping online, opt for reputable stores and ensure there is a secure connection by checking for secure sites with the padlock symbol in the address bar. After shopping, log out from the website. One more measure is to dedicate a separate credit card for online shopping to spot suspicious charges quickly.

Find more details on our safe browsing tips webpage.

Choose a Password with Care

When signing up for new online accounts, choose a strong and unique password. Avoid re-using passwords across accounts. When possible, use multifactor authentication. This may seem like an extra step to access an account, but it is one more layer protecting your private information from hackers.

Review additional information on our password care webpage.

Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. By adopting these practices, you contribute to a safer online environment for yourself and the Lancer community. Stay vigilant and protect your digital presence.

Led by Information Technology Services, Cybersecurity Awareness Month efforts highlight electronic data safety issues relevant to the UWindsor community. Find helpful resources at uwindsor.ca/cybersecurity.

Training session offers an opportunity to acquire Drupal skills
Oct 5th, 2023
man working on computer

University employees responsible for maintaining content on the official UWindsor website are invited to Drupal training on Thursday, Oct. 12. This training is essential for becoming a web editor and helps improve the competencies of those already responsible for web pages.

Attendees will learn fundamental skills to create pages, upload graphics, and organize effective menus, as well as web standards and best practices for accessibility, usability, and functionality.

Rob Aitkens, web development team leader, will guide the training and field questions.

Drupal 7 + Web Accessibility Basic Training will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. It is open to the campus community regardless of their experience level.

Interested faculty and staff, including student employees, can register on the IT Services Booking page to attend the online training session and learn to improve the user experience of the University’s official website.

Awareness campaign to highlight cybersecurity
Oct 4th, 2023
Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Information Technology Services is gearing up for a campaign through October — Cybersecurity Awareness Month — to raise awareness and promote cybersecurity best practices in the campus community.

During the cybersecurity awareness campaign, IT Services will engage students, faculty, and staff by sharing cybersecurity tips, information, and resources. The campaign’s objective is to highlight that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility requiring the active and sustained participation of students, faculty, and staff.

The campus community can also expect weekly updates in the DailyNews and a few messages in their inboxes. Individuals are welcome to review the web pages dedicated to cybersecurity.

Marcin Pulcer, interim executive director of IT Services, emphasizes the initiative’s importance.

“We are taking the opportunity to remind our Lancer community about best practices around cybersecurity,” he says. “The campus community has come together to implement many proactive cybersecurity measures and we cannot let up on the momentum we’ve gained.”

Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a national and global campaign to educate individuals and organizations about measures they can take to protect against the growing and real threat of cybercrimes. To see the Government of Canada efforts, review the Get Cyber Safe website.

System update brings new look to UWinsite Student
Jul 31st, 2023
computer displaying UWinsite Student system

One noticeable change to UWinsite Student following its major update — which includes the latest security-related features, fixes, and improvements — is the system’s modernized appearance. It now has a neutral background with refreshed icons and tile graphics, offering a sleeker interface.

Users may need to take an extra step to view the recent changes. Due to the way UWinsite Student caches information, users may need to completely clear their cache, close, and restart their browser, or use a browser in incognito or private window mode.

“Apart from the visual update, most of the work was done behind the scenes to bring UWinsite Student in line with the latest fixes, but the update also introduces some useful functional improvements,” says Lorraine Chandler, associate registrar, systems and records.

“Users can more readily switch between user identity profile types. This update is particularly helpful for students looking to change their major, as they can now easily access the applicant profile to view any updates related to their application.”

A useful new feature for administrators is the ability to search for a student using their preferred name. UWinsite Student will now return the search query with both primary name and the preferred name displayed. While it may look like two different student entries, the system has coupled the contact information in the back end.

The project team spanned many functional areas bringing expertise to Information Technology Services from the registrar’s, students accounts, and awards and financial aid offices.

“The dedicated individuals behind the UWinsite Student update worked hard to bring valuable enhancement to the system,” says John Osborne, assistant director of IT Services for business solutions and systems. “I’m extremely grateful for their commitment and to the users who were patient while the system was unavailable.”

For more detailed information about the system update, visit the dedicated UWinsite Student Update - July 2023 - Student Edition webpage.

As with any system update, some users may encounter an issue or need assistance while navigating the new changes. If this is the case, open a ticket and it will be routed to the right area for help.

—Alisa Giroux-Souilliere