Spam filtering being done at campus border
by L. Albertson, Computing and Network Services
published April 25, 2006
On April 16, spam filtering on the central e-mail system was modified so that
e-mail marked at a spam score of nine or above began being blocked at the campus border. This process
is currently eliminating about 10 percent of the spam coming in from off-campus -- before it reaches any
K-Staters' e-mail inboxes. This amounts to
- 251,967 spam e-mails deleted since April 16
- 31,265 spam e-mails deleted in the past 24 hours
- 3 gigabytes of e-mail disk space saved
Some K-Staters have already begun to notice a decrease in their spam levels and
have sent e-mail expressing their satisfaction.
K-State switching to Trend Micro for antivirus software
by H. Townsend, SIRT chair
published April 25, 2006
On March 31, K-State purchased a site license and three years of technical support
for Trend Micro's OfficeScan Anti-Spyware Suite of security tools to replace Symantec AntiVirus Corporate Edition
for protecting Microsoft Windows computers against viruses, worms, and other forms of malware.
This switch is a result of extensive evaluation and testing by a team led by Steve Coulson on behalf of K-State's
Security Incident Response Team (SIRT).
The reason for the switch boiled down to getting a superior product with
more features for considerably less money. The complete set of reasons were outlined in a Feb. 14
InfoTech Tuesday article
("Reasons for proposed antivirus software switch").
The software K-State purchased from Trend Micro not only includes excellent antivirus software, but it also
provides protection from spyware; tests for some security vulnerabilities; protects servers running Windows, NetWare,
or Linux; includes a personal firewall; and has an excellent centralized reporting tool that will allow us to instantly
assess the extent of an outbreak and react quickly to contain it.
Most Macintosh computers will continue to use Symantec AntiVirus.
Apple Macintosh computers running OS X or MacOS will continue to use Symantec AntiVirus for Macintosh since
Trend Micro does not yet have a Macintosh version of their OfficeScan suite. K-State will continue to purchase
sufficient licenses from Symantec to cover faculty, staff, and student office and home use for Macintosh computers.
However, new Macintosh computers that use an Intel processor are capable of running Windows XP with beta software
called Boot Camp from Apple or with other third-party products. Any K-Stater running Microsoft Windows on their Macintosh
must use the Trend Micro antivirus product.
Unlimited office and home use.
K-State's Trend Micro license covers every computer owned by K-State along with unlimited use by current
faculty, staff, and students on their home computers and student computers in residence halls.
Transition planning. Since the Symantec
antivirus license does not expire until Oct. 27, K-State has nearly six months to make the transition,
which will require removing the Symantec product and installing the new Trend Micro software suite.
SIRT has appointed a team that is currently planning the transition that includes how to distribute the software,
instructions on how to remove Symantec products and install Trend Micro, setting up new servers to host the
management software, updating K-State's antivirus website, publicizing the change, and more. In addition,
Trend Micro has assigned a transition team to assist K-State with the planning and implementation of Trend Micro.
Look for more information in future InfoTech Tuesday newsletter articles, on the
antivirus.k-state.edu website, and a campus meeting to be held in May.
IT-related lectures Wednesday, April 26
by the editors, InfoTech Tuesday
published April 25, 2006
- VPAST Lecture: Experiences in Integration of Water Basin Modeling Approaches Using GIS Support in Europe and the Netherlands
2:30 p.m. April 26 (Wednesday) in the Hemisphere Room, 501 Hale Library
- Challenges, Opportunities, and Trends in Distance Education and Global Workforce Training
10:30-11:30 a.m. April 26 (Wednesday) in the Beach Museum of Art
K-State alumni, friends invited to join Wildcat Connection
by A. Hagedorn, Information Technology Assistance Center
published April 25, 2006
Last week, the K-State Alumni Association and Kansas State University Foundation announced
the launch of their new online community called the Wildcat Connection. This free service will allow
K-Staters to reconnect with fellow classmates as well as network with friends and visitors who have similar interests.
For more information, read the
full press release
or visit the Wildcat Connection.
Departments: Interested in Toolbook site license?
by R. Gould, Information Technology Assistance Center
published April 25, 2006
K-State has been approached by the producers of Toolbook (Interactive
Advantage Corp.) to inquire on interest in a campuswide site license. Toolbook can be used to
create interactive courseware. Specifically, Toolbook is an authoring tool for creating
interactive quizzes, online assessments, and small-scale simulations while allowing
the user to incorporate video and track end-user progress. The Instructor Education Site License is available for $3,995.
If you are interested in participating in the purchase, contact the Information Technology Assistance Center at
itacrecp@k-state.edu and
provide your name and phone number. The deadline for consideration is May 5.
New RSS feeds on K-State housing and dining topics
by R. Satterlee, Housing and Dining Services
published April 25, 2006
This month, Housing and Dining Services began providing a variety of content online in RSS
(Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary) format. This feature allows K-Staters
to subscribe to Housing and Dining Services news, calendars, deadlines, and daily menus
from the dining centers. Once subscribed, they will automatically be contacted when
new content is posted online. These RSS feeds are offered to directly benefit the residents
of Jardine Apartments and the residence halls.
Click on the desired RSS links on the HDS website
to see all the RSS feeds available. If you have an RSS-enabled browser --
like Safari or Internet Explorer 7 (in beta) -- or have already accommodated RSS on your system, just
click the "RSS 2.0" button for the desired news feed. Otherwise, you can choose from the
RSS and news readers offered on the list to configure your system to receive updates.
Adopting RSS feeds allows the distribution of updated news while adhering to new industry standards.
Most Mac systems accommodate this new technology, but Windows platforms need to have components added.
One of the easiest methods for a Windows system is to subscribe to RSS feeds through a Google or Yahoo account.
Other applications are also available.
Questions about this service should be sent to Rob Satterlee, satterl@k-state.edu,
532-6972.
IT by the numbers: LISTSERV mailing lists
by B. Edwards, J. Morrill, Computing and Network Services
published April 25, 2006
As of April 12, K-State has a total of 1,997 central LISTSERV mailing lists. That number includes:
- 153 class mailing lists
- 345 administrative or other support mailing lists
The rest are general discussion or announcement lists for departments, projects, organizations, research, clubs,
and other groups.
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