OIT News
Monthly news briefs, information and announcements
Office of Information Technology, NC State University
Issue 97, November 2015

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Follow OIT on Twitter @NCStateOIT
For up-to-the-minute reports on OIT systems, see SysNews
For help with computing problems, contact the NC State Help Desk

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01: NC State offers Amazon Web Services to faculty and staff
02: OIT discontinues support for Internet Explorer
03: Central IT extended maintenance scheduled for Jan. 23-24
04: Apple to present ResearchKit on Dec. 2
05: Protect yourself against ransomware!
06: Back up and restore your data with CrashPlan
07: OIT to implement CloudLock in Google Apps domain
08: Google introduces Trash functionality for Calendar events and new About Me page
09: Expand your reach with Cloud Development, Mobile Device Security and Google Apps!
10: SAR training scheduled for Jan. 13

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01: NC State offers Amazon Web Services to faculty and staff
NC State University has entered into an agreement with DLT Solutions, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) government authorized re-seller that offers cloud solutions on behalf of Internet2 and its university member community.

Under the Internet2 negotiated terms, account owners can continue to use all of the functionality provided by AWS. However, the price of services is currently 3 percent less because of the aggregate volume of collective purchases by campus. In addition, many accounts may be eligible for a DLT data egress waiver, which allows a reasonable amount of data to be moved to a different location without an additional cost.

If you are a faculty or staff member who is interested in creating a new account under the DLT agreement or migrating an existing account from the standard AWS, complete the Amazon Web Services Request Form and send it to software@ncsu.edu.

For a limited time, DLT, in conjunction with AWS, is offering technical expertise, at no cost, to support proof of concept projects and to assist teams in gaining expertise and comfort using AWS.

Here are some helpful links that provide further details about the Internet2 agreement for AWS via DLT Solutions:

• Amazon Web Services by DLT
• Internet2 NET+ Amazon Web Services by DLT
  Comparison between standard AWS and AWS by DLT Solutions
• Internet2 NET+ Amazon Web Services by DLT Solutions FAQs

For additional information, see the Software @ NC State website.

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02: OIT discontinues support for Internet Explorer
OIT has discontinued its support of Microsoft Internet Explorer with the MyPack Portal and the Financial, Human Resources and Student systems and recommends campus customers use either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

Campus customers who used Internet Explorer have often encountered more problems with these systems than those who use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. University Central Offices and support staff also spent a significant amount of time testing and troubleshooting problems unique to Internet Explorer. As a result, OIT will no longer conduct testing of Internet Explorer patches, fixes and enhancement with these systems.

For additional information, see SysNews.

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03: Central IT extended maintenance scheduled for Jan. 23-24
On Saturday, Jan. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 24, OIT will perform extensive system maintenance, such as data center improvements that require shutdown and movement of equipment, hardware replacement and infrastructure configuration. This extended maintenance window will run from 6 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday.

OIT services may be degraded or unavailable for extended periods during this maintenance window. These services include, but are not limited to:

• MyPack Portal
• Human Resources, Financial and Student systems
• DELTA Wolfware (Moodle, Mediasite, Collaborate, and WolfWare Classic)
• Virtual Computing Lab (VCL)
• WolfPrint services
• Hosted systems
• Networked Attached Storage (NAS) shares and exports
• Backup services
• Web Services

Other proposed extended maintenance windows that can possibly impact IT services include:

• Saturday, April 2 through Sunday, April 3, 2016
  (Note for campus units/departments: If there are significant conflicts with this new proposed date, please notify oit_or@help.ncsu.edu.)
• Saturday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016
• Saturday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016

For scheduled system changes and updates, see the Change Management Calendar or visit SysNews. If you have any questions, contact the NC State Help Desk at help@ncsu.edu or 919.515.HELP (4357).

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04: Apple to present ResearchKit on Dec. 2
You’re invited to learn about Apple’s new ResearchKit, an open source software that helps researchers and medical professionals gather data more frequently and more accurately from participants via iPhone apps. These apps are currently being used to collect data on diabetes, asthma, Parkinson’s Disease, and breast cancer.

Apple representatives will give an informative introduction to ResearchKit (and HealthKit, an end-user app) on Wednesday, Dec. 2 from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. The campus community is invited to attend. To register, visit Classmate.

For related information, see Researchers from Duke University, Johns Hopkins and Oregon Health & Science University launch new medical studies using ResearchKit.

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05: Protect yourself against ransomware!
A security threat to you is file-encrypting ransomware — malicious software that encrypts the files on your computer, restricting your access to them. The only way to get your files back is to pay a “ransom,” typically from $100 to $300. Cybercriminals may even demand that you pay with Bitcoin virtual currency.

Ransomware like Cryptolocker, and its new and more sophisticated variant CryptoWall, target all versions of Windows. Cybercriminals may attempt to infect your computer with this ransomware by tricking you into clicking on a malicious attachment in an email message. When you click, the ransomware downloads and installs on your computer.

If you happen to visit an infected website, CryptoWall may also download and install on your computer and begin encrypting your files without your knowledge — until you see a pop-up window offering to sell you a decryption key. If you have no backup of your data, you just might be stuck.

If you find that your computer has been infected, should you pay the ransom? The most important step to take is to contact OIT Security and Compliance via help@ncsu.edu or your system administrator for assistance. It may be possible that they can help to remove the infection and restore your files from good backups. Engaging in financial transactions with cybercriminals could increase your exposure and the university’s exposure to further threats.

To reduce your risk of becoming a victim of ransomware, please take the following precautions:

• Back up your important files regularly and store multiple copies in secure locations.
• Do not click on unsolicited links or attachments in email messages.
• Be suspicious of emails that come from people you don’t know, even if a message looks legitimate.
• Keep your antivirus software, operating system and other software patched and up-to-date.
• Search for and destroy any malware on your computer.

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06: Back up and restore your data with CrashPlan
If your campus computer or server ever crashes, you could experience a tremendous loss. Learn how to back up your data and restore it using Code42 CrashPlan.

The campus community is invited to attend a live demonstration of the CrashPlan software on Thursday, Dec. 10 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in 216 Scott Hall.

Code42 engineers will show you how to back up and restore your data to remote servers, other computers or hard drives. CrashPlan is available for Mac, Windows and Linux operating systems.

Everette Allen of the Office of Information Technology also will be available to talk to you about departmental and college licensing and deployment. See Working with CrashPlan at NC State. There will be refreshments and door prizes.

If you are already a CrashPlan user or would like to learn how to back up and restore your data securely, don’t miss this lunch and learn session. To register, visit Classmate.

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07: OIT to implement CloudLock in Google Apps domain
In early November, the Google Service Team installed CloudLock Security Fabric — cloud security protection — to assist with administrative tasks and compliance issues for the Google Apps @ NC State (google.ncsu.edu) domain.

As OIT proceeds through the implementation and reporting phases of the CloudLock project, campus users should experience no change in how they use Google Apps @ NC State services. More information about the CloudLock implementation on campus will be available in the coming months.

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08: Google introduces Trash functionality for Calendar events and new About Me page
Until recently, if you had deleted a Google Calendar event, there was no chance of retrieving it.

Google recently added a new Trash functionality that allows you to restore Calendar events for a primary or secondary calendar for which you have editing rights. You also have 30 days to restore deleted events before they are removed permanently.

So if you should accidently delete a Calendar event, you can retrieve it from two locations:

• My Calendars
  • Select the specific Calendar drop down menu.
  • Choose Trash.
• Calendar Settings
  • From the Calendar Settings gear, choose Settings.
  • Select the Calendars tab.
  • Select a specific Calendar.
  • Select the Trash tab.

If you have deleted events since the deployment of this new functionality, you will receive a one-time notification from Google explaining the updates.

For more details, see Restore deleted events in Google Calendar Web.

It’s all About Me!
If you want to control what information is publicly displayed about you in your Google Apps account, go to Google’s new About Me page.

There you can edit fields like work history, contact information, educational background, gender, and birthday. Your changes will appear across the entire suite of Google services. See Privacy Settings to configure other visibility settings for your account.

For more details on Google’s new enhancements, including the new mobile apps updates for iOS and Android devices, check out the October edition of Google Apps What’s New. You can also follow the Google Service Team on:

• Twitter @ncsu_oit or @ncstategoogle
• Google+

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09: Expand your reach with Cloud Development, Mobile Device Security and Google Apps!
Upcoming workshops include:

• Gmail Advanced Plus Tools, Tips & Tricks will be offered on Wednesday, Nov. 18 and Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 110 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. If you’re comfortable with the basics of Gmail and are ready to take it to the next level, this more advanced hands-on workshop is for you. You will learn more about creating labels, filters and canned responses, scheduling Google Calendar Events, and using Google Drive through Gmail, along with any planned or newly released Google features. To register, visit Classmate.
• Mobile Security for iOS Devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch) will be offered on Thursday, Nov. 19 from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. Learn how to use a screen lock passcode, encrypt and back up data, locate your device if it’s lost, scan your device for malware, and much more. To register, visit Classmate.
• Create and Collaborate with Google Drive will be offered on Tuesday, Nov. 24 from 10 a.m. to noon in Room 110 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to use Drive in a collaborative environment, including editing a file simultaneously with other people, securing a document through file sharing permissions, and creating files for use by a group of colleagues or friends. For this workshop, you will need to have an active NC State University Unity account with access to Google Apps at NC State. If you would prefer using your own laptop or other mobile device, feel free to bring it. To register, visit Classmate.
• Gmail Beyond the Basics will be offered on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 110 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. This workshop will provide an in-depth overview of Gmail features, including Labels, Search tools, Contacts management, Chat, Tasks, Settings, Labs, and new features. If time permits, there will be a brief introduction to Google Hangouts. To register, visit Classmate.
• Getting Started in Cloud Development will be offered on Thursday, Dec. 3 from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. In the ever changing world of IT, the cloud has made access to powerful computing as easy as clicking a button. As a developer, you need to be aware of available technologies and how to use these technologies to bring your websites and applications to production. To learn more about cloud development technologies and how you can start developing in the cloud, register for this workshop via Classmate.
• Google Forms will be offered on Tuesday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Room 110 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. Are you looking for a way to easily create surveys, plan events, or gather data? In this workshop, we’ll cover the basics of creating forms and viewing responses, while also highlighting several advanced features, including embedding forms in websites, adding page breaks, and incorporating question validation. To register, visit Classmate.
• Google Calendar will be offered on Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 110 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. This workshop will focus on appointment slots, event attachments, maps and directions, sharing and embedding calendars, labs, quick add, search options, mobile notifications, scheduling online meetings, and more. To register, visit Classmate.

For other available training sessions, visit Classmate Scheduled Workshops. If you are interested in custom software training, complete the Custom Training Form. Email all training questions to classreg@ncsu.edu.

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10: SAR training scheduled for Jan. 13
Security Access Request (SAR) training for campus requestors and approvers of access to secured university data will be held Wednesday, Jan. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to noon in Room 108 of the Avent Ferry Technology Center. Visit Classmate to register for training.

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