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Phishing Alert: Scam Imitates DocuSign Review Request

Monday, October 19, 2020 - 10:41

 

Pitt Information Technology has received reports of a new email phishing scam that claims to be a DocuSign review request. The recipient is asked to click a link to review and sign documents. The link actually directs the user to a malicious webpage that mimics DocuSign, and then the reader is prompted to provide their credentials on a page that mimics the Office 365 login page. The fake document review request appears to originate from a legitimate pitt.edu email address.

Below is a sample of the recent fraudulent email. If you receive an email similar to the one below, make sure to verify with the original sender that it is a valid DocuSign approval request before taking any action.

If you receive a message you believe to be a scam, please report it by forwarding the email message as an attachment to phish@pitt.edu. Detailed instructions on reporting scams are available at our phishing awareness page.

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

From: Doe, Jane <pitt.edu address>

After clicking Review Document, the following page displays:

Clicking View Completed Documents takes the reader to a fake Office 365 login page like the one shown below.

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

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.

October Microsoft Security Update

Tuesday, October 13, 2020 - 16:26

 

Microsoft Corporation has announced security updates for October that affect the following software: 

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps
  • Microsoft JET Database Engine
  • Azure Functions
  • Open Source Software
  • Microsoft Exchange Server
  • Visual Studio
  • PowerShellGet
  • Microsoft .NET Framework
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Adobe Flash Player
  • Microsoft Windows Codecs Library

Pitt Information Technology recommends that users immediately identify and install the security updates necessary to remediate these vulnerabilities by using Microsoft's Windows Update feature on their computers as soon as possible. Additional information about the updates is available on Microsoft’s Security TechCenter.

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.

New Linux Timesharing Server is Now Available

Thursday, October 8, 2020 - 10:40

 

A new Linux-based server is now available as part of the University’s Unix Timesharing Service using linux-ts.it.pitt.edu. Unix Timesharing is primarily used for engineering and computer science coursework, as well as personal web pages at pitt.edu/~USERNAME. (Note: Linux systems are preferred for SFTP, as Solaris may generate warning messages because of outdated encryption.)

You can start using the new server at your earliest convenience. Your data and files will remain available on both the Linux and Solaris 9 systems in the near term, using the Andrew File System (AFS).

To request additional software or scripts on the Linux server, please submit a Service Request. The Linux server runs an updated operating system (RHEL 7) and software updates include a new version of Java and Alpine email, which replaces Pine.

You may access the new Linux server directly from within PittNet. However, If you are connecting from outside PittNet use of PittNet VPN (Pulse Secure) is required. The server has full outbound access to the internet, but port forwarding and reverse-port forwarding functions are not enabled.

The Solaris server remains available and additional communication will be provided before it is retired. The Solaris server uses the following host names:

  • unixs.cssd.pitt.edu
  • unix.cssd.pitt.edu
  • unixs1.cis.pitt.edu and unixs.cis.pitt.edu (legacy names)

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

Student Information System (PeopleSoft) Extended Maintenance Scheduled for Oct. 10-11

Monday, October 5, 2020 - 15:36

 

The Student Information System (PeopleSoft) will be unavailable during an extended maintenance period from 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, through 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11.

The system will be returned to service earlier if work is completed ahead of schedule. This maintenance is necessary to maintain the stability and reliability of the Student Information System. 

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357)  if you have any questions regarding this announcement. Learn more about scheduled maintenance periods here.

A New Way for Students, Faculty, and Advisors to Access Student Information

Monday, September 28, 2020 - 16:10

 

In anticipation of spring 2021 course enrollment, a modernized user interface is coming to PeopleSoft. Launching on Thursday, Oct. 1, PeopleSoft/HighPoint Campus Experience (CX) will serve as the beginning of a transition from the existing Pitt PS Mobile experience to one with improved user focus and mobile optimization. PeopleSoft Classic will remain available.

PeopleSoft/HighPoint CX allows users to do more with less clicks all in one place. For students, this will provide enhanced interaction with PeopleSoft, streamlining the schedule build and course enrollment processes in addition to other student-focused tools. For instructors and advisors, PeopleSoft/HighPoint CX will serve as an enhanced alternative to the current PeopleSoft user experience, with new features coming soon.

Please email the Office of the University Registrar or call 412-624-7649 if you have any questions regarding this announcement.

Student Information System (PeopleSoft) Monthly Vendor Maintenance Scheduled for Oct. 3-4

Monday, September 28, 2020 - 11:35

 

Vendor maintenance will be performed on the Student Information System (PeopleSoft and PeopleSoft Mobile) beginning at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. This work is expected to last until 5 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4.

This routine maintenance is necessary to maintain the security, stability, and reliability of the Student Information System.

PeopleSoft and PeopleSoft Mobile will be unavailable during this maintenance period. The systems will be returned to service earlier if work is completed ahead of schedule.

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement. Learn more about scheduled maintenance period  here.

Update: Intermittent Issue Affecting Some Pitt Print Stations Resolved

Friday, September 25, 2020 - 12:52

 

2:05 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020

Pitt Print service has been restored. Pitt IT continues to monitor the service and will post additional updates as they become available.

12:52 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25, 2020

An intermittent issue is affecting the ability to use Pitt Print stations on the Pittsburgh and Greensburg campuses. Students may have trouble connecting to printers and sending print jobs in some locations.

Pitt Information Technology is aware of the issue and working to restore full service as quickly as possible. Updates will be posted as they become available.

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

Transition from Skype to Teams by October 17, 2020

Friday, September 18, 2020 - 16:30

 

Microsoft is retiring Skype for Business in July 2021 and moving all users to Teams as the default chat, meeting, and calling app in Office 365. Teams provides an intuitive, chat-based workspace that enables you to easily have conversations, host meetings, share files, and collaborate on documents in real time from any device.

To support the transition to Teams, Pitt IT is migrating Skype users without a Skype phone account to Teams on October 17. After that date, Teams will replace Skype for Business at Pitt for chats, calls, and meetings, although you can continue to log in to Skype for Business to view past conversations, if needed.

Don’t Wait—Start Using Teams Now

Pitt IT encourages you to begin using Teams now for chatting and meetings, so you become familiar with how it works and what it can do before Skype access ends. Teams is an intuitive tool for working with your colleagues across Pitt, collecting everything you need in one place. Help with using Teams can be found at pi.tt/teams-training.

Skype Phone Users

Skype phone accounts will be upgraded to Teams at a later date. Pitt IT will work individually with each impacted department to ensure a smooth transition for all Skype for Business phone users. While Skype phone users are not impacted by the October 17 transition, they are encouraged to start using Teams now for chat, meetings, and other tasks that do not involve making or receiving calls from their University phone number. 

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

myPitt Enhancements Arrive Sept. 25

Thursday, September 24, 2020 - 14:32

 

Effective Friday, Sept. 25, myPitt (my.pitt.edu) will be enhanced with new features, customization options, and accessibility improvements based on feedback received from the University community.

Everyone can take advantage of the following improvements:

  • You can now re-order sections on your home page via your Preferences menu (drop-down menu under Sign In or your name).
  • If you prefer logging in to myPitt immediately (instead of clicking the Sign In button after you arrive), you can do so with the new short URL pi.tt/mypitt-login.  
  • Announcements are easier to read thanks to accessibility enhancements like improved contrast, reduced brightness, and larger font size. An accessibility statement also appears in the site’s footer. 

In addition, myPitt administrators can create several new types of content:

  • Pages: Unlike Tasks, which link users to a service, Pages serve as their own content destination. Administrators can create a wide variety of content using the rich text editor.
  • Sites: Related pages can be grouped into Sites. Administrators can specify the order in which Pages appear and use headings to categorize them further.
  • Password-restricted content: Administrators can now require users to log in whenever they visit a Task, Task Center, Site, or Page.

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

Microsoft to Retire TLS 1.0 and 1.1 Encryption on October 15

Thursday, September 24, 2020 - 16:40

 

On October 15, 2020, Microsoft will retire Transport Security Layer (TLS) 1.0 and 1.1 encryption protocols which provide communications security over a computer network. Recent users of the following Windows and Mas OS applications that use TLS 1.0 or 1.1 for communications have been contacted:

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Office
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Mac Mail and Calendar
  • iOS Mail
  • Microsoft Office for Mac
  • Airmail
  • Crestron Fusion 9

Before Oct. 15, these users have been advised to use the following options to update their version of TLS:

Using the most recent version of TLS–version 1.2–means that you can take advantage of the up-to-date security standards, ensuring that you have uninterrupted access to Microsoft resources.

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