Information Technology News Archive

1996 - 2017

Virus Blocked

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NACS has taken several measures against the new “MyParty” Internet worm, unleashed recently.

The “MyParty” worm arrives in your Inbox disguised as an email message, bearing the subject line “new photos from my party!”. This worm targets popular Outlook and Outlook Express email programs running on the Windows operating system. The message contains a file attachment disguised as a web site URL, “www.myparty.yahoo.com” If, expecting a web site, you click on this file attachment, a program is installed on your computer which lets the worm’s author gain control of your computer over the network. It also sends email to the author, and propagates copies of itself to everyone in your email Address Book.

NACS has instituted defenses against MyParty both on the campus mail routing servers (MTAs), and on the EA and E4E systems which faculty, staff, and students use to read electronic mail.

In the first week since MyParty’s release, over 8000 copies of the worm were blocked on EA and E4E and almost 29000 further copies were blocked at the campus (“@uci.edu”) e-mail gateways.

Information on MyParty and other recent viruses may be reviewed at 
http://www.nacs.uci.edu/security/virus.html

Instructional Web Technologies

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The Electronic Educational Environment (EEE) is a collaboration among the UCI Libraries, the Division of Undergraduate Education, the Registrar, and Network & Academic Computing Services (NACS).

The group within NACS which participates in EEE has changed its name to Instructional Web Technologies (IWT). This change will more accurately reflect IWT’s mission of supporting the instructional use of technology, as one component of EEE.

The IWT group is managed by Shohreh Bozorgmehri. Staff members Eric Carter and Briandy Walden provide direct support to faculty and instructors who use technology for their courses. In addition, they maintain and develop the EEE website (http://eee.uci.edu/), serving all UCI instructors and students. David Pritikin is responsible for instructional technology training and client support.

New EEE Tool

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IWT added a new tool for Winter 2002 to the many resources available on the EEE website. The new “Evaluations” tool, developed in cooperation with the Division of Undergraduate Education, allows instructors to gain valuable and immediate feedback from students regarding in-class instruction. The use of web-based forms and real-time data analysis gives instructors the opportunity to address student concerns while a class is still meeting. The Evaluations tool is available in the Instructor’s Toolbox.

Costly Phone “Service”

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NACS would like the campus to beware an unnecessary telephone cost you may incur.

There are companies which buy up large numbers of toll-free phone numbers which are very close to other, popular companies’ toll-free numbers (such as Federal Express.)

When you misdial, you may get connected to this kind of outfit. That company may offer to forward your call to the intended number, and may charge a fee for that.

With anything less than perfect attention and patience, you may hear the invitation to be transferred, and not hear the notification of the transfer fee. Some departments are finding themselves billed $3 per misdialed call.

Here is an example message. You can see how easy it is to unwittingly authorize a charge.

“Hello. If you are trying to reach Federal Express, you have misdialed and will be given the opportunity to receive the correct number by pressing one now or any time during this message. Our patent-pending process will provide you with the number for two dollars and ninety-nine cents which will be billed to your local telephone bill as ‘call connect.’ Rotary callers may stay on the line to be connected, or at any time during this message, you may hang up and check the number with directory assistance. Please hold or press one now … ”

NACS is publicizing this perfectly legal “service” in hopes of increasing awareness and saving the University money

Microsoft Licensing Changes

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Microsoft has made significant changes in the programs under which UC has been making volume purchases of Microsoft operating systems and application software.

The new Microsoft Academic Select 6.0 (“Select”) and Microsoft Academic Campus 4.0 (“Campus”) agreements allow departments two ways of securing the tools they need.

Some of these changes (such as a more limited range of upgrade paths) constrain UC software buyers; other changes offer significant opportunities for lower costs, with adequate planning. This article can only introduce the topic. If you are responsible for planning software purchases for your department, NACS is ready to work with you to evaluate the new licensing programs and help you make the best decisions for your situation.

“Select” allows for discounted purchases of licenses, upgrades, and upgrade programs. To make the most economical purchase decisions, it is important that software buyers anticipate the usable life of their computers and the frequency of upgrades to software (such as Windows, Word, or Excel) desired on that computer.

“Campus” allows a department to “lease” computer software at prices proportional to the number of staff rather than the number of computers. Advantages include regular software updates, and inexpensive licensing for computer labs.

Changes to Windows and other Microsoft software make it more important than ever to plan carefully, and track the software licensed and installed in each department. Microsoft has also announced retirement schedules for older versions of its software, after which support, upgrades, and security fixes will not be available.

NACS has been working with departmental representatives to help departments assess their needs in light of the new programs. If you have any questions about “Select” or “Campus”, please contact your Computing Support Coordinator, or visit these web sites: