Windows and Mac Minitab licenses for the desktop apps expire on December 31, 2021. The Minitab web app replaces the desktop client and is available now using any web browser, except Firefox. Simply log in using your University computing account credentials. Your work can be saved locally or to cloud storage services, including Google Drive and Microsoft OneDrive.

Start using the Minitab web app today to avoid access issues and to become familiar with the online interface. Detailed instructions are available for students, faculty, staff, and departments.

Note that current desktop versions of Minitab can still be used until the license expires. Minitab for Mac no longer receives support from the vendor and the current version will not work with new versions of macOS or new Mac (M1) chipsets.

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412 624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement.

Like countless others, the University of Pittsburgh continues to experience unprecedented delays in the fulfillment of technology-related purchasing requests due to ongoing global supply chain issues. All indications are that issues caused by increased demand, scarcity of hardware components and labor shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic will continue at least into the second quarter of 2022.

Please be assured that Pitt Information Technology is working diligently with the University’s strategic vendor partners to source alternatives and expedite orders whenever possible.

We acknowledge that these issues impact the University’s day-to-day operations in a variety of ways—including limited availability when ordering new laptops, printers, and monitors. Orders placed for these devices may take several months to arrive. Significant delays are also affecting delivery of enterprise hardware components, including wireless access points and advanced network equipment for research computing.  

Pitt IT appreciates your understanding as we work to address these challenges. In the meantime, we encourage you to follow this guidance when ordering hardware: 

1. Continue to utilize the Computing Equipment Purchasing and Standardization Program for orders. In addition to significant cost savings, the program ensures your hardware is optimized for the University’s computing environment and compatible with enterprise device management. Pitt IT has worked closely with partner vendors to provide the shortest possible wait times for devices ordered through the program. We have also proactively ordered and have on hand a limited quantity of mainstream and power-user laptops. If your department has an urgent, immediate need for laptops, please contact the Technology Help Desk to check availability.
2. Do not purchase consumer-grade laptops from retail stores. Business-class laptops offer important security and configuration features that aren’t found in devices meant for consumers. In addition, consumer-grade PCs may not be compatible with Pitt IT’s device management services, which means they will not automatically receive important updates and security patches. Consumer laptops may also not be compatible with recommended monitors and docking solutions, and they often lack a warranty that allows them to be serviced if an issue occurs. Lastly, consumer devices may be running Windows 11, which has not yet been tested for compatibility with University services.  
3. Plan for future needs now. If you anticipate needing new hardware for your department in the near future, submit your orders as soon as possible. Adding your order to the vendor’s delivery queue now helps to reduce delivery time in the future. 

Thank you for your continued resilience during these challenging times. Pitt IT remains committed to providing the best possible IT environment for the University community, and we look forward to working with you to realize that goal. 

Please contact the Technology Help Desk if you have any additional concerns related to supply chain delays.

A security certificate issue may affect access to some cloud services, including Canvas. Users who continue to receive certificate warnings accessing Canvas and other cloud services should update their version of Mac OS or Windows and try connecting again.

As an additional workaround, for those unable to update their operating system, users can use the Virtual Computing Lab.

More information is available about this issue from the vendor, including a certificate compatibility list.

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement.

Pitt Information Technology has identified a new email phishing scam targeting the University. The scam typically includes the subject line “Covid Test Result” and claims to be from the University of Pittsburgh, even though it originates from an email address outside the University. The scam includes an attachment that claims to contain Covid test results. Opening the attachment directs readers to a webpage that mimics the Pitt Passport login page. If the user enters their username and password, the fake webpage then prompts the reader to enter their Duo passcode. If the scammer successfully obtains a user’s Pitt username and password, along with their Duo passcode, the scammer would have immediate access to the user’s account.

The following is a sample of the recent scam. If you receive this message (or any message similar to it), please report it as a phishing scam by forwarding the email message as an attachment to phish@pitt.edu. Detailed instructions on reporting scams are available at https://www.technology.pitt.edu/security/phishing-scams.

******************************************************************************

From: University of Pittsburgh (external email address)
To: <jdoe@pitt.edu>
Subject: Covid Test 

Attachment: Covid Test Result.htm

Hi jdoe@pitt.edu 

Attached is your Covid Test Result. 

******************************************************************************

Opening the attachment displays a webpage like the one shown below that mimics the Pitt Passport login page:

Entering a username and password then displays a fake Duo Mobile page like the one shown below that prompts the user to enter a Duo passcode:

Pitt IT strongly recommends that you do not reply to unsolicited emails or emails from unverifiable sources. If you were not expecting to receive such an email, confirm with the sender prior to interacting with the message. If you must interact with the message, avoid clicking on links contained in such emails. These may lead to sites that contain malicious software, or sites that attempt to steal your credentials. If a link looks suspicious, you can hover over the link with your mouse to preview the URL without clicking on it.

In addition, Pitt IT recommends that all students, faculty, and staff install Antivirus and Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes) Protection. Departments can submit a help request to obtain Malwarebytes for multiple machines.

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement.