Blog

Throughout the semester, our Orange Online messages will provide updates and insights about how you can make the best use of technology. In addition, you can contact the ITS Help Desk (help@syr.edu or 315.443.2677) for any technology-related questions and follow ITS on Instagram for tips, tricks and occasional pet pics.

This edition’s topics:

·         Managing Your NetID Password

·         Protecting Your Data: Don’t Share Multi-Factor Authentication Codes

·         Microsoft Office 365: FREE for Orange Students

·         Spotlight on the Digital Scholarship Space

·         Disconnecting Hotspots

·         Remote Desktop Services

Managing Your NetID Password Link

“When does my password expire? … How do I change my password? … I changed my password but now I can’t log in. What’s the deal?“ We address these and many other questions in the NetID Password Change FAQ.

Protecting Your Data: Don’t Share Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Codes Link

The ITS Information Security team has observed a new phishing method: If bad actors obtain a username, password and phone number through a simple phishing attack, they then use that information to attempt to log in to their victim’s SUMail account. This creates an MFA action on the victim’s phone (either through the Microsoft Authenticator App action or a text message). The attacker then contacts the victim with a pretext such as, “I’m your IT support person trying to fix your mailbox. Would you text me back the code you were just sent?” If the target replies with that code, the attacker can access the mailbox. REMEMBER: Your MFA code is just for you! There is never a reason you should send it to anyone else. If you receive one of these text messages, your password might have been compromised in a previous phishing attack, so you should change it immediately. You can learn more about recent phishing scams by visiting the ITS Phish Bowl.

Microsoft Office 365: FREE for Orange Students Link

Regardless of your major, all students are encouraged to have a computer running Microsoft Office 365, which is free for active students. Office 365 includes the classic Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) plus cloud storage (OneDrive), collaboration features (Teams) and digital notebooks (OneNote). For more details, please visit the Office 365 at Syracuse University page.

Spotlight on the Digital Scholarship Space Link

Located in room 458 of Bird Library, the Digital Scholarship Space (DSS) is a workshop, laboratory and classroom space designed for the study and creation of digital artifacts and experiences. With gaming, game studies and game design as central considerations, the DSS features a variety of computer gaming platforms, including current and legacy machines. The space also hosts open lab hours for students to complete homework and work on projects. To learn more or to reserve the space for an event, please send an email to dss@syr.edu.

Disconnecting Hotspots Link

When someone uses a cellular hotspot on campus, the signal competes with the AirOrangeX wireless network. Disconnecting a device’s cellular hotspot and connecting to a campus network such as AirOrangeX instead is a great way to improve the campus computing experience for everyone. Wherever you study on campus, the wireless AirOrangeX network provides fast, secure connection for computers, smartphones and tablets. To learn how to connect to AirOrangeX, please visit its.syr.edu/connected.

Remote Desktop Services Link

Remote Desktop Services offer a virtual desktop environment that allows you to access a University desktop from any personal computer with a stable broadband internet connection. You can learn more about how to connect and available software by visiting the Remote Desktop Services page.