Archived News and Announcements
Critical Security Flaws in PowerPoint and Internet Explorer
Posted September 29th to October 11th, 2006
Newly discovered flaws found in Microsoft PowerPoint and IE are being actively exploited.
Microsoft has already issued a patch for the Internet Explorer VML exploit, which could allow for remote code execution if a malicious web site is visited using an unpatched version of IE.
The PowerPoint exploit could be used to execute arbitrary code; Microsoft has not yet released a patch for this. All are advised not to open PowerPoint files from untrusted sources, and without first verifying that a trusted source intended you to have the file.
For details please see:
IE VML exploit - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/Bulletin/MS06-055.mspx
PowerPoint exploit - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/925984.mspx
Please contact the Information Commons at extension 5-Help with any questions.
Faulty IE Patch Causes Problems with IDXWeb
Posted September 21st to October 9th, 2006
A faulty patch released by Microsoft can cause IDXWeb to close or stall the browser when trying to access.
Internet Explorer version 6 on computers running Windows XP Service Pack 1 experienced problems after a faulty patch was released by Microsoft on August 8, 2006. It causes IE to crash or time out when accessing certain sites, including IDXweb:http://idxweb.cumc.columbia.edu/idxweb/
To receive the corrected patch a complete Windows Update can be run by going to http://www.windowsupdate.com using Internet Explorer.
For more details please see the information at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/918899/
The patch must be installed by someone who as Administrative rights on the computer.
Please contact the Information Commons at extension 5-Help (212-305-4357) with any questions.
PC PhoneHome Software Available as a Free Download
Posted September 1st to October 5th, 2006
Windows computers can install this security software that aids in recovering lost or stolen laptops.
CUMC IT, CUIT, CU Public Safety and the department of Surgery have purchased a license that allows all Columbia students and employees to download PC PhoneHome for work and personal use:
http://www.columbia.edu/acis/software/pcphonehome/
Please use your UNI and password to log in. If you do not have an Administrative log on to a computer, you will have to contact the IT group or person that manages the system in order to install the program.
Please contact the Information Commons at extension 5-Help (212-305-4357) with any questions.
CU Public Safety's Security Awareness Day this Friday 10am-2pm
Posted September 25th to 29th, 2006
A variety of great free and discounted security services will be available Sept. 29th at the Alumni Auditorium at 650 West 168 Street. Stop by between 10am and 2pm for:
Enter the raffle to win one of 3 iPod nanos
Operation ID property engraving - bring your Laptops, PDAs, MP3 players, calculators, etc. - FREE!
NYPD "Blue Light" - invisible ink with a registration number - FREE!
Bike Registration - FREE!
Combat Auto Theft - FREE!
Auto Glass VIN etching - FREE!
PC PhoneHome software to track a stolen laptop - FREE!
Discounted Laptop Locks
Computer Security information
Discounted "The Club and Cover" - New Columbia Blue Club Available
Discounted Stop-Tag
Discounted Kryptonite Bike Locks
Stop by and find out more about all of the great security services available, or contact CU Public Safety at extension 7-7979 (305-8100 from off-campus).
There will also be a Safety Awareness Day on the Morningside campus this Wednesday, Sept. 27th from 10AM-2PM at Low Plaza.
Dell and Apple Recall Laptop Batteries Due to Fire Hazard
Posted August 31st to September 29th, 2006
Millions of batteries made for certain models of Dell and Apple laptops must be replaced to avoid possible fire hazards. The batteries contain lithium-ion cells that were manufactured by Sony.
The models that may require replacement batteries are:
Dell:
Latitude
Inspiron
XPS
Dell Precision Mobile Workstation
The Dell laptops were sold between April 2004 and July 18, 2006.
Apple:
12-inch iBook G4
12-inch PowerBook G4
15-inch PowerBook G4
The Apple laptops were sold between January 2004 through August 2004.
Dell owners can visit https://www.dellbatteryprogram.com/ to see if your laptop is effected. You can also reach this page by going to www.dell.com and selecting the "Battery Recall" link in the lower left of the page. The phone number for the Dell Battery Replacement Hotline is 1-866-342-0011.
Mac owners can check https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html
Please contact the Information Commons at extension 5-Help (212-305-4357) with any questions.
Welcome New Students!
Posted August 15th to September 25th, 2006
Please visit the student page at http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/it/getting_started/students.html for information about technical resources at CUMC.
Be sure to contact us with any questions that aren't answered on the student pages! The Information Commons can be reached at extension 5-Help (212-305-4357) seven days a week, or by emailing 5help@columbia.edu.
If you'd like immediate technical assistance for your computer, you can also use CUMC IT eSupport to instantly connect to a technician online.
New Microsoft Updates Patch Critical Vulnerabilities
Posted August 9th to 30th, 2006
Microsoft has released patches for August 2006, they include 9 critical updates for Windows, Office and Internet Explorer.
Please make sure your computer has received these updates by using Internet Explorer to go to:
http://www.windowsupdate.com
For details on the updates, please see:
Microsoft's August Security Bulletin
US-CERT's Technical Cyber Security Alert TA06-220A
Please contact the Information Commons at extension 5-Help (212-305-4357) with any questions.
PAC (Peoplesoft) Unavailable Sat 8/26 to Sun 8/27
Posted August 24th to 27th, 2006
Due to quarterly maintenance, PAC will be offline from 3pm on Saturday August 26th to noon on Sunday August 27th.
Please contact the Information Commons at extension 5-Help (212-305-4357) with any questions.
Internet Explorer 7 Upgrade is Not Recommended
Posted July 27th to August 27th, 2006
IE 7 is still in Beta testing with Microsoft, and we do not recommend that CUMC systems upgrade to this version yet.
The latest version of IE, 7, has not been thoroughly tested for CU and NYP applications.
Please contact the Information Commons at extension 5-Help with any questions.
HSADMIN Offline Friday Aug 11th at 7pm to Sun Aug 13th 11pm
Posted August 11th to 14th, 2006
The Central Admin server, HSADMIN, will be unavailable during this time for emergency maintenance.
Anyone who logs in to the Central Admin server will not be able to from Friday August 11th at 7pm through Sunday August 13th at 11pm. HSADMIN network drives will not be available during this time as well.
We are also currently announcing this via an alert message that appears after logging into Central Admin, to insure that anyone who accesses HSADMIN will be aware of the down time.
Please contact the Information Commons with any questions at extension 5-Help (212-305-4357).
Trojan Allows Monitoring of Web Forms in Firefox
Posted August 1st to 14th, 2006
Windows computers are at risk from a trojan that allows the capture of contents from online form submissions including passwords.
The trojan, Infostealer.Snifula, is not currently reported as widespread. Due to the sensitive nature of the attack, we recommend that Windows systems run a manual update of their antivirus program as soon as possible to prevent infection.
Infostealer.Snifula appears to be downloaded by the Downloader.Traus trojan, which is spread as an email attachment. Please remember to only open attachments that you are expecting, and always save them and scan for viruses before opening.
More information can be found at:
Symantec page on Infostealer.Snifula
Symantec page on Downloader.Traus
Please contact the Information Commons at extension 5-Help (212-305-4357) with any questions.
Apple OS Update Fixes Many Vulnerabilities
Posted August 3rd to 9th, 2006
Mac systems should run Software Updates as soon as possible to receive these highly critical security updates.
With your system connected to the Internet, select the Apple menu, then Software Update to receive and install the updates.
The critical Security Update resolves possible issues with the following features:
AFP Server
Bluetooth
Bom
DHCP
dyld
fetchmail
gnuzip
ImageIO
LaunchServices
OpenSSH
telnet
WebKit
For more information please see:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61798
http://secunia.com/advisories/21253/
Guide to Green Computing
Posted July 20th to August 3rd, 2006
Want to be sure you're making the right choices for the environment? Please see the Green Computing information at CU's Environmental Stewardship web site:
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/environment/docs-wycd/green_guide/index.html
Contact us at 5-Help or email 5help@columbia.edu with any questions.
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Last updated 6/16/2008
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