InfoTech Tuesday, Kansas State University's information technology news source
  April 5, 2005 Previous issue   |   Next    

   In this issue

   What's happening

Laptop computers require extra security measures

by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published April 5, 2005

Laptop computers are a fact of life these days, but many owners are unaware they need to provide extra security for these vulnerable devices. The recent theft of a laptop at UC Berkeley (see Stolen laptop at UC Berkeley poses enormous security risk below) illustrates how easily laptops can be taken and compromised -- and the resulting turmoil.

In addition to other security steps for desktop computers, K-State security staff recommend the following:

  • Keep your laptop close by and in sight. It takes only a few seconds to lose it.
  • Use a locking cable to secure your laptop when left alone.
  • Back up important data, and consider encrypting sensitive data. Data is usually more valuable than the laptop.
  • Set a log-in password for the "Administrator" account (on Windows XP systems) or your MacOS X account.
  • Use a backpack or generic bag to transport your laptop. A computer bag (especially with a tech logo) makes it an easy target.

For more information, see these Microsoft pages:

K-State blocks systems with NAV 7.x antivirus software

by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published April 5, 2005

At 5 p.m. today, K-State will begin blocking computers with NAV 7.x that are connecting to the network. (See InfoTech Tuesday March 29: Symantec ends Norton AntiVirus 7.x support for Windows.) K-State policy requires that computers attached to its network have current antivirus software. Upgrade your Symantec AntiVirus software from antivirus.ksu.edu/nav/install. If you have questions about the upgrade, contact your departmental technical support, your SIRT representative, or the K-State IT Help Desk at 532-7722.

"The DO's and DON'Ts of Online Teaching" April 6

by V. Clegg, Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning
published April 5, 2005

A panel discussion on "The DO's and DON'Ts of Online Teaching" is the next session in the IDT Roundtable Series, 11:30 -12:30  April 6 (Wed) in the K-State Student Union, room 212. Learn the "do's and don'ts" of teaching online from four experienced instructors, who have four very different online experiences. Bring your questions and ideas.

Faculty who plan to attend should contact the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, catl@ksu.edu, 532-7828. Refreshments will be available at 11:15 a.m., and sack lunches are welcome.

Reminder: Autodesk presentation April 12 in Hale 114

by K. Leonard, Computing and Network Services
published April 5, 2005

AutoCAD 2006 products will be released in June. John Olson, with Avatech Solutions, will provide an overview of new Autodesk products from 10 a.m.-noon April 12 (Tue) in Hale 114. This presentation is open to the K-State community. Departments interested in student licensing of Autodesk products should also plan to attend.

Following the presentation, Olson will do on-campus site visits to units to see how the software is being used. To schedule a site visit, contact Kathy Leonard (532-4926, kantink@ksu.edu ).

TechBytes April 8: Microsoft Excel

by C. Rodriguez, Information Technology Assistance Center
published April 5, 2005

Microsoft Excel is the Techbytes topic at 1:15 p.m. Friday, April 8, in 401B Hale. Excel is a powerful tool used for creating simple to complex spreadsheets. Come learn many new Excel tips and techniques in creating charts, graphs, formulas, and even making interactive cells. Note that this session has been moved from 501 Hale to 401B Hale. For information about TechBytes, visit the TechBytes website.


On the spot:  IT questions from K-Staters
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published April 5, 2005. updated 10 a.m. April 7, 2005

Can I keep my eID after I graduate?

Yes, graduating students can keep their K-State eID. So can others who leave the university. For details, see What happens to my eID when I leave K-State?

K-State alumni can also get an eID and access KATS to check their student grades. Those people should contract the K-State IT Help Desk (785-532-7722, helpdesk@ksu.edu) for details.

Have a question or comment? TellTuesday@ksu.edu.


Web watch

Uribe's "Best 100 computer and information security sites"

by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published April 5, 2005

We may not know who Felix Uribe is, but technology experts agree he has a good list of the Best 100 Websites in Computer and Information Security. See www.uribe100.com/index100.htm.

Find a good site? TellTuesday@ksu.edu.
InfoTech Tuesday is a weekly newsletter about information technology at K-State.

Archive
Subscribe
Search archive
Send news

Managing editor:
     Betsy Edwards
Executive editor:
     Rebecca Gould

What's hot in IT
Antivirus
eIDs
E-mail
Passwords
Projects
Security
TechBytes seminars
Training calendar

Handy IT resources
Help desk
IT homepage
Computer labs
Policies
Tech classrooms
IT Index

IT events
and deadlines

April 5, 2005 (Tue)
At 5 p.m., K-State begins blocking systems with NAV 7.x antivirus software.
See the article in this issue.

April 6, 2005 (Wed)
Preview of computer updates planned for summer.
web-arrow pointer Summer

April 8, 2005 (Fri)
TechBytes: Microsoft Excel. 1:15 p.m., 401B Hale.
See the TechBytes website.

April 12, 2005 (Tue)
Autodesk presentation and site visits.
web-arrow pointer Autodesk

June 1, 2005 (Wed)
Mainframe 9-track tape support ends.
web-arrow pointer Mainframe

June 20-21, 2005
2005 CHECK conference.
web-arrow pointer CHECK

Summer 2005
K-State's web portal will debut.
web-arrow pointer Portal


K-State Online: Tip of the Week

Assignment flexibility: Make course structure and content flexible to allow for unexpected events or unique group dynamics that develop throughout the semester.

While the general content and goals of the course can be created and disseminated at the beginning of the semester, allow assignment specifics to be changed as the need or benefit arises.

Customize assignments after you know more about the class, and students know each other, to best use the specific group dynamics present in the course. Vary the types of assignments (reading, practical experiments, solo projects, group projects, discussions, written work, etc.).

E-mail a suggestion or help areas for the K-State Online tip to help@online.ksu.edu. Questions? Contact the K-State Online Help Desk, 532-7722.
Tuesday's Gem

Stolen laptop at UC Berkeley poses
big security risk

by A. Hagedorn, Information Technology Assistance Center
published April 5, 2005

This month the University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley) announced that a laptop containing information on over 98,000 people was stolen from their campus March 11. The reason for the delayed announcement was the hope that the laptop would be found or returned to the school.

Now, almost a month after the theft, the university must warn all people whose information was on the laptop to beware of identity theft.

According to USATODAY.com, "universities have accounted for 28 percent of the 50 security breaches of personal information recorded by California since 2003."

The stolen laptop contained social security numbers of graduate-school applicants between fall 2001 and spring 2004; graduate students who enrolled at Berkeley between fall 1989 and fall 2003; and more. To date, there have been no reports of identity theft associated with the missing laptop.

UC Berkeley has created a temporary website for those affected by the crime, including a 1-800 number for people to call and verify if their file was among those on the laptop. They also recommend all those people file a fraud alert on their credit reports.

The security incident at UC Berkeley could happen here. Remain vigilant about the information stored on both your desktop and laptop computers. Check out the suggestions above for improving laptop security.

To learn more about this security incident, see the following sites: