IT Services Newsletter - July 2020
- Tracy King
Security
Like unwashed hands, USB flash drives can carry viruses.
USB flash drives are a convenient and practical way to store and transfer information, but pose a danger to the devices they come into contact with:
- USB flash drives can become infected with malicious software. Once infected, your USB flash drive could infect every device it comes into contact with.
- Deleting all visible files on a USB flash drive does not guarantee that all of the software has been removed. Malware can still exist on the device and infect the next device that it is plugged in to.
- Keep your drives separate: It is safest to keep your work and personal information separate from one another, especially is your USB memory sticks (flash drives) are being used by multiple people in your home or office.
- Never plug a found USB flash drive into any of your devices. They could contain malware that will be transferred to your device.
- Avoid sharing USB flash drives with other people. Their devices may infect your USB flash drive, which will then infect your device the next time it’s plugged in.
If you have found a USB flash drive, alert the IT department immediately at ITservices@selkirk.ca
IT Staff Professional Development
Marco and Ken attended a one week Ethical Hacker course sponsored by BC Net and facilitated by Keatron Evans for the EC-Council. The course covered the 5 Phases of Ethical Hacking and was very relevant in today’s technologies and protocols. IT Services will be developing a plan to implement certain strategies to prevent access from hackers into our critical systems. Contact Ken Anderson if you would like to know more about this course.
In Other News
Microsoft Office 365 Online Now Available for Staff!
In order to support curriculum development for Fall 2020, IT Services has enabled Microsoft Office 365 online productivity suite for all Selkirk College staff and is working on deploying Office 2019 to lab and staff computers.
IT Services continued development of services to support students for the Fall 2020 semester includes the deployment of Microsoft 365 service access in September 2020 including:
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Microsoft O365 email (replacing student netmail (email.selkirk.ca))
- Microsoft Office 365 online productivity suite (including Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
- Continued access to Microsoft Office 365 productivity suite download
Instructions on how to install Microsoft Office 365 can be found at: https://selkirkcollege.atlassian.net/wiki/display/KB/Microsoft+Office+365+productivity+suite+installation
Migration from Groupwise to Microsoft O365 email for staff is tentatively scheduled for Winter 2021.
How Can You Prepare for the Change to M365?
Reduce your mailbox size by deleting old messages and attachments. For instructions on how to Manage Your Groupwise Mailbox, go to: /wiki/spaces/KB/pages/6934843
Further release announcements, training and instructions will be made available at https://selkirkcollege.atlassian.net
IT Hardware – Offsite Registration
Please remember to submit your IT Hardware-Offsite registration form if you are removing any equipment from campus for the purpose of working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find the registration form at go.selkirk.ca