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Systems programmer remembered for key role in campus computing
Oct 21st, 2021

Friends and colleagues of Dean Roy, a UWindsor employee of more than 35 years who died Oct. 17 at the age of 58, remember him for his contributions to campus operations in his paid and volunteer work.

He joined the University’s staff in 1986 as a programmer in the University Computer Centre, receiving promotions in 1989 to systems programmer, in 1996 to senior systems programmer, and in 2003 to systems programmer specialist in Information Technology Services.

“Dean played a key role in setting up and maintaining computer systems that powered many of the enterprise applications and databases on campus, including the student information systems, payroll, and finance,” says Stephen Karamatos, manager of technology and innovation. “He was a diligent staff member and contributed his talents and rich experience during the waves of technological changes. He will sadly be missed by his colleagues.”

Roy was also active in Local 1393 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, including serving as its president from 2011 to 2017.

Campus flags will be lowered in his memory on Friday, Oct. 22. His family has set up a scholarship fund and welcome memorial donations; click here to make a gift online.

Funeral services are planned for Saturday, Oct. 23. Find details in his obituary online.

Make computer care part of your routine: IT Services
Oct 19th, 2021
man cowering behind computer screen

Your most important work tool is your computer or laptop, notes Kevin Macnaughton, team lead security, Information Technology Services, so cybersecurity should be an important part of your care routine.

Macnaughton calls it essential to ensure your device is running optimally with the latest updates and kept secure to protect your work.

“Basic computer care and hygiene should not be overlooked,” he says. “Follow daily or weekly restart practices and enable updates to keep your devices working and secure.”

Top systems care basics include:

  • Closing work applications and browsers at the end of the day
  • Shutting down and starting your computer weekly
  • Enabling automatic updates for your operating system
  • Activating and maintaining up to date antivirus and firewall software

To keep your applications up to date and secure, IT Services recommends:

For more computer care basics as well as ways to supercharge your workstation see www.uwindsor.ca/itservices/933/protect-your-pc.

To highlight the global cybersecurity efforts, consult New Zealand’s campaign “Cyber up with CERT NZ.”

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.

 

 

 

 

Cybersecurity Awareness Month brings attention to scams
Oct 15th, 2021
Cybersecurity Awareness month brings attention to scams

More than a quarter (26%) of Canadians responded that they have been a victim of an email phishing scam, according to a survey prepared for the federal government. 

Phishing scams can take several forms from emailing, texting, calling, or leaving a voicemail but all are trying to fool a victim to get their personal or corporate information. Hackers will use it to gain access to online accounts and more for fraudulent purposes. 

“When you receive an unexpected call or email asking for personal or company information, you should think critically about the request,” says Kevin Macnaughton, team leader security in IT Services. “While the person may appear to be helpful or in need, often they’re trying to manipulate you and falling for it can cause significant monetary loss to you and the University.” 

IT Services’ top five tips for spotting, and ultimately avoiding phishing are: 

  1. Consider the request in detail.  
  • Is it an unusual or unexpected ask from the sender?  
  • Is there an odd sense of urgency? 
  • Does it ask you to open an attachment you were not expecting?  
  • Does the message ask you to log in or supply personal information to a website? 
  1. Examine the sender’s name and email address carefully. Does is come from a public email like “gmail.com” or another free email service when it should be coming from a business or corporation. 
  1. Review the message.  Does it have spelling errors, bad grammar, odd formatting, or missing signature?  
  1. Check any links in the message.  
  • When you hover over them, are the web addresses suspicious?  
  • Do any of the characters appear to be lookalikes instead of the correct letters? 
  1. For call scams, beware of a request to access your computer. Do they want to connect with you via remote desktop or ask that you share your log-in information to an online account? 
  2.  

If you answer YES to any of the questions above, do not react to the message. Instead, if you think the message may be legitimate, contact the sender through a different communication channel to verify it. Otherwise, report the message or call to spam@uwindsor.ca or contact the IT Service Desk at 519-253-3000 ext. 4440.  

Find examples of phishing messages on the Cybersecurity Awareness website. 

To showcase the global cybersecurity efforts, we are sharing the Irish campaign, "Stop.Think.Connect.” 

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. 

 

Keep cybersecurity top of mind when working from home or campus
Oct 5th, 2021
man employing security systems on computer

The recent return to campus has many employees now working from two locations and creates complexities and potential cybersecurity risks.

“Each person's situation may pose a unique challenge. Those working on a dedicated campus computer would have different considerations than someone who is commuting back and forth with a laptop,” says Kevin Macnaughton, team leader security in Information Technology Services.

“We want people to remain mindful of the cybersecurity risk that each scenario poses and be a human firewall to stop a threat before it has devasting effects.”

Remember these tips to keep cybersecure:

  • Use remote desktop to maintain the continuity of your digital work environment by accessing an on-campus computer from home, providing protection for the University’s network.
  • To protect from potential theft when travelling to and from campus with your laptop, be sure not to leave your device unattended or visible.
  • Use the VPN to connect to the Internet when working off-campus. It allows your data to be encrypted over a wired or Wi-Fi network.

For more cybersecurity best practices while working at two locations, see the Working from Home and Campus web page.

To showcase the global cybersecurity efforts, IT Services is sharing the Canadian government’s campaign, with its focus of “This year, life happens online.”

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.

Campaign to bring awareness of cybersecurity best practices
Oct 1st, 2021
man cowering near insecure computer

The University of Windsor will mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2021 with its own digital campaign focused on themes relevant to the campus community whether working or learning in-person or remotely.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month, held each October, is an internationally recognized effort to inform the public of the importance of cybersecurity. The campaign aims to help Canadians better understand online security, and to supply simple steps to protect themselves, their families, their devices, and their workplaces.

“We are using the opportunity to remind and assist our faculty, staff, and students about cybersecurity best practices on campus and at home,” says Kevin Macnaughton, team leader security in Information Technology Services. “We hope to help them better identify the ever-changing phishing tactics, advise on securing their mobile devices or workstations, and highlight the global campaigns taking place.”

Key cybersecurity themes will be shared via DailyNews and UWindsor social media channels starting next week and run through to the end of October. More information is available at uwindsor.ca/cybersecurity.