Announcements

January Security Post: Keep What’s Private, Private

You exist in digital form all over the Internet. Guard your privacy, not just to avoid embarrassment but also to protect your reputation and finances. Following are specific steps you can take to protect your online information, identity, and privacy. Turn on 2-step verification: https://oit.williams.edu/help-docs/2-factor-authentication/ A second authentication protects… Continue reading »

Displaying Announcements at the Top of the Home Page

If a course has a content page set as the course home page, instructors can display a certain number of recent announcements at the top of the page. This change allows instructors to show announcements as part of the course home page when students view GLOW in a web browser. Continue reading »

[Resolved] Service Disruption for Google Drive

Starting at about 11:40am on 1/17 we started seeing problems in accessing Google Drive. From Google: We’re investigating reports of an issue with Google Drive. We will provide more information shortly. Users may be receiving errors when accessing Drive. Classroom users may also be receiving errors when submitting or… Continue reading »

Allow file upload in your Google Forms submissions!

Allow file upload in your Google Forms submissions! You can now include a file upload button in your Google Form, so that your respondents can easily add documents to their form submission. More info can be found here:  https://sites.google.com/site/scriptsexamples/home/announcements/google-forms-file-upload-feature Whether you are a teacher who wants to collect students’… Continue reading »

December security post: Managing your online reputation

Social media sites help you stay connected both personally and professionally, but the information you share can provide fodder for phishing attacks, identity theft, or allow people to make negative assumptions about you. Please check a sites privacy and security settings to manage your online public presence.   The most… Continue reading »

Subject: Help Desk!! … another scam

A busy week for scammers… a 3rd wave of phishing attempts this week is hitting our Inboxes today… The body of the email: “Due to the recent spam attack on our database, you are advise to update your mailbox, please click here to avoid your account being suspended”. along with a link… Continue reading »

Newest phishing attempt: Subject: building trust

We are receiving numerous reports of a new phishing attempt that looks like a PDF being shared through Google Drive. It has the Subject Line: building trust. Please delete it. For more information about phishing emails check out: Phishing Emails If you did reply to… Continue reading »

Phishing attempt: secure document circular

Many are reporting having received emails with the Subject Line: secure document circular Please delete this newest of phishing attempts. For more information about phishing emails check out: Phishing Emails If you did reply to one please follow directions at: What to do if… Continue reading »

You can put a time limit on shared items in Google Drive!

Did you know that you can set a time limit on folders and files that you share via Google Drive? More information can be found here:  https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2494893 When you share any file or folder in Google Drive with another user, the shared links will work forever unless you manually… Continue reading »

Secure Your Phone!

Many people are aware that security is important on a computer but most people forget that their smartphone is a full computer as well.  And, since you carry that smartphone around with you and can easily lose it, security is as important on your phone as it is on your computer. Continue reading »

Security post – managing a passel of passwords

As you know, not every password scheme or tool works for everybody. You need to use a system that works best for you, one that is simple enough to be foolproof and practical in daily use but secure enough to guard your digital life. It’s a natural tendency for people… Continue reading »

Mac OS 10.12.1 Sierra and Purple Air

A recent update to Mac OS 10.12 (Sierra) is causing problems for some people when connecting to the Purple Air wireless network.  OIT has discovered the source of the problem and has developed a process that should resolve the issue. First, turn off your wifi Then:… Continue reading »

Managing a passel of passwords

Like it or not, passwords are an inescapable part of modern life, providing protection at the cost of inconvenience.     It’s a natural tendency for people to try and keep things simple by using the same password for multiple services or devices.  But as recent headlines have made… Continue reading »

Cybersecurity month tip #2: Using 2 factor authentication

Your password can be exposed through a number of methods like phishing, a compromised computer or website, a rogue WiFI setup or a breached service. Fortunately we have a system available that can prevent anyone from accessing your Williams google account even if they know your password. Two-factor authentication (also… Continue reading »

October is cybersecurity awareness month

This week:  How to keep your data safe when your accounts at major sites are compromised.  Yahoo!, Dropbox, MySpace, Pandora, LinkedIn…these are just a few of the sites which have had data breaches. How do you keep your own data safe?  To start it is important to have strong and… Continue reading »

Google Calendar: Attach a file to discuss during an event.

Attach a file to discuss during an event. In Google Calendar, you can attach an agenda, spreadsheet, presentation, or any other useful file you want to discuss during a meeting or event. In Google Calendar, you can attach an agenda, spreadsheet, presentation, or any other useful file you want to… Continue reading »

Mac OS 10.12 Sierra released by Apple

On September 20 Apple released Sierra (Mac OS 10.12). The Office for Information Technology is currently testing this new OS for compatibility with all of our systems. Sierra is an optional upgrade and we ask that you hold off on upgrading until we are confident there are no major breaks.  … Continue reading »

Automatically add citations, quotes, or images to your Google Doc

Automatically add citations, quotes, or images to your Google Doc With Google’s Research tool, you can search for citations, quotes, and images without having to leave your file, and simply drag them in. https://apps.google.com/learning-center/tips/docs/ Gathering and writing citations or quotes for your work can be time-consuming. Instead of switching… Continue reading »

Update your iPhones and iPads to iOS 9.3.5

To install the update on your iOS device, launch the Settings app, then tap General > Software Update. With previous versions of iOS, there are vulnerabilities that can allow someone to hijack the iPhone or iPad and control or monitor it remotely. If you device isn’t upgraded, there are numerous… Continue reading »

August Security Content: Browsers and Online Security

When you are reading e-mail or browsing online, be on the lookout for suspicious links and deceptive web pages, which are major sources of malware. Also be careful when selecting browser plugins, apps, or other downloadable files since they can introduce new vulnerabilities. Here are some suggestions to make your… Continue reading »