IMS Technical Services Newsletter Vol 1, #1 - April 17th 2007

							IMS Technical Services Newsletter
Vol. 1, #1 - April 17th 2007 Issue #1

Welcome
News from the Help Desk
* Policy...what policy?
* Monthly Windows Patches Released
* Requesting equipment for a meeting
* How to Contact the Help Desk
* What to do about paper jams
Did You Know?
* AU Employee Discounts on Hardware and Software
In the News
* New Virus Outbreak
* 100,000,000 iPods?
* Glitch in Turbo Tax Website
Computer Tips
* Locking Your Computer
Questions / Topics
Preview of Upcoming Issues

WELCOME

Welcome to the first IMS Technical Services biweekly newsletter. Here you will find information
regarding news from the Help Desk, FAQs, computer tips, questions submitted by you, and
technology in the news.

NEWS FROM THE HELP DESK

Policy...what policy?
Recently there has been a change in the password and screen-saver policy. You will be required to
change your Ascend passwords every 90 days. Doing so will also change your IMS21 and Windows
Network Login (If you are supported by IMS). A video showing how to change your Ascend password
can be found at: https://intranet.alumni.auburn.edu/ascendpwchange/ascendpwchange.html

The screen-saver policy requires that a screen-saver will be enabled after 30 minutes. You will be
able to pick the screen-saver; however, the time period is set to 30 minutes and cannot be changed.
This policy is enforced on systems managed by IMS.

Monthly Microsoft Patches
Microsoft releases updates to Windows and the Office suite every 2nd Tuesday of the month. It is
extremely important to have these updates installed, as they usually contain fixes to security issues.
To see if you have any updates that need to be installed, look for a "yellow shield" down in your
system tray. Just click the shield, and it will prompt you to install what updates are available to you.
It is important to install these updates as soon as you see them available.
Need equipment for a meeting?
IMS provides laptops, projectors, and screens for you to use during any kind of meeting. The proper
procedure for requesting this equipment is to call the Help Desk at 4-1409 or email us at
ims@auburn.edu. We will then check our schedule to make sure that it is not already reserved and
will have it setup in the room that you request. If you require any special files or programs during
this meeting, please let us know ahead of time when you call or email us.

How to contact the Help Desk
IMS has several options available to you for contacting us:
* Email: ims@auburn.edu
* Phone: 844-1409
* GroupWise Messenger: imshdsk

IMS Help Desk Operating Hours: M-F 7:45 - 4:45

What to do about paper jams
In the event of a paper jam in your desktop or network printer, we encourage you not to try to
remove the paper jam yourself. Doing so could leave fragments of paper behind that may cause
trouble in the future. Please call the Help Desk at 4-1409.

DID YOU KNOW

AU Employment Discounts on Hardware and Software
Auburn University employees and students receive discount on computer software and hardware.
This includes Apple, Dell, Gateway, Howard, and IBM computers.
http://auburn.edu/oit/hardware_software/emp_stu_hardware.php

IN THE NEWS

New Virus Outbreak
There is a new virus spreading around via email that could have malicious attachments included. The
emails come disguised as saying, "USA Just Have Started World War III," with a video.exe file
attached. If you receive such emails, delete them immediately. For more information, visit
http://isc.sans.org/diary.html?date=2007-04-08

As always, take caution when opening emails with attachments from unknown senders.

100 Million iPods Sold
Apple recently sold their 100 millionth iPod, since they started back in November 2001.
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/04/09ipod.html

Glitch in Turbo Tax
A recent glitch in Turbo Tax allowed access to people's confidential information.
http://www.nbc4.com/money/11588165/detail.html

COMPUTER TIPS

Locking Your Computer
This tip (edited for content) was taken from "SANS NewsBites," a semiweekly newsletter published by
the SANS Institute.
"I sent an email to your boss letting him know what you really think of him." This Notepad message
was on my screen when I got back to my cubicle after getting up to stretch my legs. What? I had
been gone for 180 seconds -- three quick minutes. Lucky for me, the note turned out to be from our
systems administrator who wanted to make a point. All it takes is about one minute for a disgruntled
colleague to send a message on your behalf to the boss, and there is no way for you to prove that
you didn't send it. In about 30 seconds, a cracker could install a keystroke logger to capture
everything that you type, including company secrets, names, and passwords. In about 15 seconds, a
passerby could delete all your documents.

Even if you're getting a cup of coffee that may take only 1 minute, lock your computer! You can do
this by pressing the Windows Key + L. When you return, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE and enter your
password; everything will be just as you left it.

If you would like to see more "Tips of the Day," please visit the SANS website at
http://www.sans.org/tip_of_the_day.php. There you can also view and sign-up for their security
newsletters by clicking on "Newsletters" on the right side of the page.

QUESTIONS / TOPICS

If you have any questions or topics that you would like to see in future newsletters, please let us
know. You can simply reply to the newsletter, and we will make sure that your voice is heard.

PREVIEW OF UPCOMING ISSUES

A few things to look forward to in future issues:
* Network Printer information regarding paper weight
* IMS Technical Services website
* Help Desk staff information
* Newsletter archive, to access older issues

If you wish not to receive this newsletter, please reply with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the body of the email.