This message was originally shared to all faculty and staff via email on October 17, 2024.
Tech Tips At a Glance
Pressed for time? Information Technology Services (ITS) has you covered. Here are this edition’s topics:
MySlice to Be Unavailable During Update on Sept. 28
The MySlice portal and all of the services accessed through the portal will be unavailable from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST on Saturday, Sept. 28. This outage includes MySlice, the human capital management system, the campus solutions system and the financials system. Continue Reading
Advisory: Sextortion Scam Emails
Several members of the University community, including faculty, staff and students, have notified Information Technology Services (ITS) that they recently received sextortion scam emails. It is important to know how to respond if you receive such an email.
What Is Sextortion?
Sextortion is a type of cybercrime in which the attacker claims to have access to intimate or compromising information about you, such as photos or videos. The sender will often demand payment, typically in cryptocurrency, in exchange for not releasing this information. To make their threats seem more real, they might include personal details such as your phone number, address or even the names of friends or family members. It is important to understand that bad actors often collect this information from publicly available sources without an actual breach of your accounts or devices.
What Should You Do if You Receive a Sextortion Email?
- Stay Calm: The goal of these emails is to create fear and urgency. It is important to stay calm and recognize that this is a scam.
- Do Not Respond: Do not engage with the sender or provide any personal information.
- Do Not Make Payments: These threats are baseless. Paying the attacker will encourage them to make additional requests.
- Report It: Forward the email to the ITS Information Security team at infosec@syr.edu so they can investigate and take appropriate action. If you are concerned about your personal accounts, consider updating your passwords and enabling two-factor authentication for additional protection.
Receiving such emails can be distressing. ITS is here to assist and guide you through the situation. The ITS Information Security team is actively working to address these incidents and to help protect our campus community. If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact the Information Security team at infosec@syr.edu.
Tech Tips: September 2024 Newsletter
Tech Tips At a Glance
Pressed for time? Information Technology Services (ITS) has you covered. Here are this edition’s topics:
- ITS Presents: AI at Work
- SensusAccess Now Available in Blackboard
- PhishNotify Button in Outlook
- OrangeNow App
- New Microsoft Sign-In
- The Nation’s Most Connected Campus
- System Alerts
AI at Work
Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 1, from 1-2 p.m., at the K.G. Tan Auditorium in the National Veterans Resource Center or via Microsoft Teams for a discussion on generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Learn about responsible AI use, available tools and practical tips. Faculty and staff are welcome! Register here.
SensusAccess Now Available in Blackboard
SensusAccess, an automated tool for document remediation and file conversion, is now available in Blackboard Ultra. Instructors can use it in five simple steps to make course documents more accessible for students, enhancing their learning experience.
Upcoming Deployment: PhishNotify Button
We’re launching the PhishNotify button in Outlook to simplify reporting phishing emails and enhance campus security. It will quickly flag suspicious messages to our Information Security team and support phishing simulations to raise awareness. Stay tuned!
OrangeNow
Stay ahead of your day with Syracuse University’s OrangeNow. Access campus news, dining options and real-time bus arrivals—all in one app, designed to help you stay organized and informed.
New Microsoft Sign-In
Starting Sept. 17, Syracuse University’s Microsoft Sign-In screen will have a new, branded look to help users recognize the official portal, access support and receive news alerts consistent across all devices.
Google Shared Drives
Faculty or staff may now create shared drives in Google Workspace by request for academic purposes only. Students are no longer able to create Google shared drives. To request a new shared drive, please submit an Orange Tracker form.
The Nation’s Most Connected Campus
Senior Vice President for Digital Transformation and Chief Digital Officer Jeff Rubin highlights recent IT advancements at Syracuse University, including the OrangeNow app, upgraded WiFi, a private wireless network and enhanced JMA Wireless Dome connectivity. Read Blog.
System Alerts & Statuses
If you have trouble connecting to a campus website or system, the System Status page on the ITS website can help you determine whether there is an issue with your computer or something else.
University Directory Information in Outlook
Do you need to find contact information for someone at the University? You can use Outlook’s “Search” feature to find contact information for faculty, staff and students.
Helpful Resources
ITS and the campuswide information technology community are available year-round to help with your tech questions. Resources include:
- Academic and administrative IT staff
- Classroom Resource Guide
- The ITS Service Center
- The Self-Serv NetID and password management portal
Thank you for reading. Go Orange!
Orange Online: September 2024 Newsletter
Orange Online At a Glance
Pressed for time? Information Technology Services (ITS) has you covered. Here are this edition’s topics:
- PhishNotify Button in Outlook
- New Microsoft Sign-In
- SensusAccess Now Available in Blackboard
- The Nation’s Most Connected Campus
- Digital Maps
- System Alerts
PhishNotify Button
We’re launching the PhishNotify button in Outlook to make reporting phishing emails easier and boost campus security. This tool will help quickly flag suspicious messages to our Information Security team and support phishing simulations to increase awareness. Stay tuned!
New Microsoft Sign-In
Starting Sept. 17, the Microsoft Sign-In screen for Syracuse University will have a fresh look aligned with University branding. This update helps users identify the official University portal, adds a link for account help and enables news alerts. The new design will be consistent across all devices.
SensusAccess Now Available in Blackboard
SensusAccess, an automated tool for document remediation and file conversion, is now in Blackboard Ultra. Students can convert documents that exist within a course into a range of alternate formats including audio, ePub3, digital Braille and more.
The Nation’s Most Connected Campus
Senior Vice President for Digital Transformation and Chief Digital Officer Jeff Rubin highlights recent IT advancements at Syracuse University, including the OrangeNow app, upgraded WiFi, a private wireless network and enhanced JMA Wirless Dome connectivity. Read Blog.
Digital Map
Explore our digital maps at maps.syracuse.edu, where you can sort locations by type (buidings, parking, etc.). Click “Wayfinding” and select “Show Only Wheelchair Accessible Routes” to find wheelchair-friendly paths
System Alerts & Statuses
If you have trouble connecting to a campus website or system, the System Status page on the ITS website can help you determine whether there is an issue with your computer or something else.
Helpful Resources
ITS and the campuswide information technology community are available year-round to help with your tech questions. Resources include:
- Answers, a knowledge base for tech-related questions
- The ITS Service Center
- The Self-Serv NetID and password management portal
Thank you for reading. Go Orange!