hughesma's blog

A number of users this morning are being prompted to run McAfee Security Scans on their workstations. The Technology Help Desk believes this software is being installed without users consent or being aware after visiting websites.

While McAfee is a legitimate anti-virus software, it is not used by Luther or LIS. It can be safely uninstalled.

The Technology Help Desk has become aware of a Phishing attempt purporting to be from LIS. A copy of the message is shown below. This is a phishing scam and is not from LIS. Please do not respond.

If you have accidentally responded, change your Norse Key immediately at http://norsekey.luther.edu.

LIS and the Help Desk will never request confidential information, including Passwords, via -email.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the Help Desk at 387-1000.

On Thursday, Aug 27th, the Technology Help Desk will move into its new home within the Library. There will be a very short downtime between 7:30am – 8:00am when phones will be disconnected for the move.

A complete map of the new Library layout is available here.

Walk-Up : The Walk-Up desk has merged with the Reference Desk and is located straight ahead from the main entrance.

On Tuesday, August 25th, all equipment previously checked out from the Technology Help Desk will be moved to the Library Circulation Desk. This includes Laptops, LCD Projectors, Screens, etc. Equipment will still be reserved and serviced by the Help Desk, but will need to be picked up and returned at the Circulation Desk.

To reserve equipment, contact the Help Desk at x1000, helpdesk@luther.edu, or go to http://lis.luther.edu/helpdesk and click on the Event Setup/Support Request link.

Beginning August 13th, all Luther student printing will be managed by the GoPrint print management solution. First announced last March, GoPrint will allow LIS to better track individual usage and appropriately allocate costs in providing printing services. It is also part of our effort to help cut down on waste and encourage better use of printing on campus.

Print service has been restored. If you experience any troubles printing, please contact the Technology Help Desk at x1000.

This morning, Sophos Anti-Virus began flagging an application called ‘KACE KBOX’ as a suspicious file. This file is safe.

LIS is pushing the KACE KBOX agent to all Luther workstations in order to better utilize new technologies for the upcoming school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Help Desk at x1000.

Long Distance service has been restored as of 7:30am on Friday. If you experience any further problems, please contact the Help Desk at x1000.

The LIS Help Desk has become aware of a new Phishing Scam e-mail (shown below) purporting to be from the Help Desk. This is a scam and is not from LIS. Please do not respond.

The BBC has a great article on one of the biggest problems we’ve seen lately at the Technology Help Desk – Scareware.

Scareware is fake software that is pushed by pop-ups that appear when you browse the web. These pop-ups claim your computer is infected with a virus and the only way to clean it off is to click this link or purchase their software. According to the article, there were over 9,000 bogus anti-virus/malware/spyware programs in circulation in December 2008.