Information Technology News Archive

1996 - 2017

OIT Responds to Security Incident

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Windows security

Between Saturday, February 26th and Sunday, February 27th an unauthorized user was able to gain access to a Microsoft Windows server operated by the Office of Information Technology. The user was able to access files which may have allowed her/him to compromise a large number of passwords.

The OIT Security team identified the abnormal network behavior on Sunday, February 27th and was able to stop the attackers from gaining additional access. The quick response was instrumental in preventing a more serious incident.

At this time, OIT does not believe the user accessed any other data. OIT has engaged an outside forensics company to validate the incident investigation and to add additional expertise to the response team.

In response to the unauthorized access, OIT undertook the complex process of having users change passwords which may have been affected.  In addition, significant time was dedicated to a detailed review of systems and access logs for evidence of inappropriate access and use of stolen user ids and passwords.

OIT is reviewing its processes and procedures to ensure security remains a high focus and priority.

If you notice any unusual activity related to your computer account, such as your account logged in by someone other than you or problems logging in, please notify the OIT Security team, or call the OIT help desk.

License Microsoft Software with UC-MCCA

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Microsoft Office

Popular Microsoft software is available at reduced cost to UCI through an agreement between UC and Microsoft, the “Microsoft Consolidated Campus Agreement” or MCCA.

The MCCA agreement is an annual lease rather than a standard outright purchase, and cost is based on a unit’s employee count rather than the number of computers that will run the software.

There are over 65,000 Campus Agreement Participants enrolled throughout the UC System. At UCI, the Merage School, OIT, ICS, UCI Libraries, Health Sciences, Soc Eco, Arts, Housing, Bio Sci Dean’s Office, Engr Dean’s Office, Law, A&BS, and others have enrolled.

While a careful analysis of your individual situation is always recommended, units which have more computers than staff (say, a computer lab) or units which want to be running the latest release of a package are likely to find MCCA an attractive alternative.

Participation in MCCA is subject to an open enrollment period which ends this year on May 6.  Contact Bob Hudack at x46759 or rjhudack@uci.edu for help in determining if this program will help your unit.

Acrobat Term Site License

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Adobe Acrobat

There’s a new low-cost licensing option for campus users of Adobe’s Acrobat software, the Term Site License (TSL).

Via TSL, faculty and staff in a unit are licensed based on the number of employees they have, not the number of computers. There is simplified compliance and administration, as there is no need to track installations per computer.  The next year’s renewal is just as easy. The payment is based on a new FTE count.

TSL features:

  • Annual licenses
  • Updates and upgrades available at no additional cost
  • Pricing based upon number of faculty and administrative staff FTE instead of the quantity of computers
  • Simplified compliance and administration No need to track installations per computer.  Install on new computers mid-year at no additional cost.
  • Lab computer installations included at no additional cost
  • Work at home rights for eligible faculty and staff to use on one additional computer for work-related purposes.
  • No support is included
  • If you do not renew, you must remove the software from your computers

Under TSL, everyone in your department can gain access to Acrobat X Pro for only $3.96 /FTE / year. Orders are due by March 31st.

For more information, contact Bob Hudack rjhudack@uci.edu 949-824-6759, or the University’s contract software reseller, SHI.

Blogging comes to UCI

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Blog ImageOIT offers a campus-wide blogging service to all faculty, staff and graduate students called  “Blogs@UCI“.

Blogs, short for “Web logs”, are a popular method for communicating with the Internet community.  Often taking the form of serial essays, blogs attract like-minded people to read and discuss topics of common interest.

OIT’s blog service offers a quick and convenient local alternative especially suited for connection to the UCI community and oriented toward University business.

Built on the WordPress blog technology, the same technology used to publish IT News, Blogs@UCI uses UCInetIDs for authentication, and offers copious assistance in the FAQ and help files.

Many UCI blogs have already been created. Here are a few examples of what others are publishing using Blogs@UCI:

Currently, only faculty, staff and graduate students can create blogs.  Undergraduate students interested in a blog can work with a faculty or other University sponsor.

Google Apps for UCI

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Google Apps

Google Apps

UCI is among many Universities now partnered with Google to provide email and collaborative online tools to students.

Among the tools is a Gmail account linked to the student’s UCInetID, thus providing the familiar Gmail interface for a student’s official university communication, with the ability to link that account to other Gmail identities, or to form groups with other UCI students.  While UCI students continue to have access to the same email system used by faculty and staff, UCI Gmail may be more familiar or better suit their needs.

Google Apps for UCI includes other useful tools for students which foster a sense of belonging to the UCI community and promoting collaborative work, including Google Docs (productivity tools analogous to Office), Google Sites (for creating Web sites), Google Talk (instant messaging), and Google Calendar (for keeping track of schedules, appointments, and campus events.)

More information may be found at the Google Apps for UCI web site.