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Eduroam - The Preferred Wireless Network
Sep 27th, 2019

Lady sitting next to window working on her laptop

When you connect your wireless WIFI device (phone/PC/Mac) to the network, you will see the available wireless networks listed which you can try to connect to. Along with a few others, the primary list will include:

  • eduroam
  • uwinsecure
  • uwindsor

Which should you use? The short answer is “Connect to eduroam”. The eduroam wireless network is available to all wireless users (Students/Faculty/Staff/guests). Plus it has the additional benefit that users from other eduroam institutions (many universities, for example) can also connect to the University of Windsor’s wireless network using their home institution’s crededentials.

Once you initially connect to eduroam, the next time you connect, the saved password will be used automatically to log in. This causes an unfortunate side-effect on most devices when your password changes however. To avoid using the old password, after you change your password you should go to the wireless settings on your device and “forget” the eduroam network. When you reconnect, you should be prompted for the new password which will again be saved until the next time your password changes.

University of Windsor Faculty and Staff can also use the uwinsecure wireless network. Access to printers are available from this network. This network has the same password change idiosyncrasies as eduroam mentioned above.

The uwindsor wireless network is available for use but should only be used as a last resort. Unlike eduroam and uwinsecure, the uwindsor network does not encrypt the network traffic. So, for example, if you are accessing network applications using a protocol which is insecure, (eg. http instead of https), then everyone else using the uwindsor network in the vicinity could view your network activity. The wireless network called uwindsor is not secure.

More information is available in the Knowledge Base. Please see https://uwindsor.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/KB/?CategoryID=2616

Campaign to raise awareness of cybersecurity issues
Sep 26th, 2019
faculty member cringing as computer smokes

A new campaign on campus aims to bring awareness of cybersecurity issues that affect faculty, staff, and students.

Led by Information Technology Services, the cybersecurity campaign will focus on themes of general security, phishing, passwords, and safe browsing; it will launch in October, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

The campaign will feature content on campus public displays, articles in DailyNews, and targeted e-mails to the campus community. 

“We hope to educate the campus community on cybersecurity best practices and common attacks that have occurred on campus,” says Kevin Macnaughton, team leader security in IT Services. “Security sometimes can seem like a nuisance but the risk of falling for some of these common attacks is too great — we’ve seen it here on campus.” 

To kick off the campaign, IT Services staff is asking the campus community to fill out this short survey to provide a baseline of current cybersecurity knowledge, and to direct the focus of future awareness efforts.

All of the cybersecurity information can be located on the website at uwindsor.ca/cybersecurity, which will be updated regularly with best practices and current threats.

Session to train staff and faculty in web content management system
Sep 5th, 2019
laptop displaying Drupal screens

A free class in Website Basic Training for UWindsor faculty and staff on Tuesday, Sept. 19, is the first of the fall semester, advises instructor Rob Aitkens.

Web development team lead in Information Technology Services, he will teach the basics of the Drupal content management system: University and legislative guidelines for posting content, as well as how to create pages and events, upload graphics, and use menus and blocks.

The training is required for all employees responsible for maintaining UWindsor websites and is valuable for those with little previous experience with the system, for those upgrading their sites from version 6 to 7, or as a refresher. It will run 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the University Computer Centre classroom. Registration is required through this online form.

Computers ready for new semester in general-purpose classrooms
Sep 3rd, 2019
cartoon of person sitting at computer

Information Technology Services is upgrading more than 70 computers in general-purpose classrooms across campus for the start of Fall 2019 classes.

Windows 10 and the latest version of Microsoft Office 365 are being installed on all machines. Going forward, updates will be completed automatically ensuring these classroom computers match university computer standards.

“With these upgrades, general-purpose classroom computers will be faster than before,” says Stephen Karamatos, manager of technology and innovation for IT Services. “They will also provide access to your OneDrive files from within Office applications such as PowerPoint. So, you don’t need to remember to bring a USB with your presentation on it anymore.”

Faculty, staff, and students will be able to sign in to these computers with their uwinid@uwindsor.ca email address and UWin Account password. Off-campus users may log in as guests to use the system without a password. Instructions for logging in and out will be located by each computer.

For more information about general-purpose classroom computers, including storage, a list of the installed software, and what to expect when you log in, read this article.

These upgrades are part of the Y2K20 Project being undertaken by Information Technology Services and departmental IT staff. The process of upgrading other (non-general purpose) classroom computers on campus is also underway. Classrooms in education and law were upgraded during the summer. Work will continue into Winter 2020 on the remaining classroom computers.

Audio-Visual Counter relocates to computer centre
Sep 3rd, 2019
projector in the dark

The Audio-Visual Counter is now centrally located at the IT Service Desk on the lower level of the University Computer Centre. This move allows staff of Information Technology Services to address all campus computing and AV needs from one site.

Members of the Classroom Technology Support Team looks forward to continuing to serve audio-visual needs from their new location. Visit them to pick up and drop off audio-visual equipment.

Audio-visual equipment can still be booked by submitting an online service request. It is recommended that equipment be booked five working days in advance.

Available equipment for rooms without integrated media systems includes:

  • video and data projectors
  • overhead projectors
  • document cameras
  • small public-address units
  • extension cords
  • projection screens
  • equipment stands
  • laptop computers for classroom use
  • microphones

Faculty, staff, and students may book audio-visual equipment for classroom use without charge. Equipment may be booked for non-academic use within the University at a reduced rental rate.

—Ericka Greenham