Alerts | Page 24 | Information Technology | University of Pittsburgh
!

Search form

You are here

Home

Alerts

Resolved: Issue Affecting Some Multifactor Authentication Options for T-Mobile Users

Monday, June 15, 2020 - 17:46

 

8:29 a.m., Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Duo has resolved the issue with multifactor authentication that affected the ability of T-Mobile users to authenticate to Pitt Passport-protected services using the “Call Me” and “Enter a Passcode” options yesterday. Full service has been restored.

5:46 p.m., Monday, June 15, 2020

Duo, the service provider for the University’s multifactor authentication service, is experiencing an issue that is affecting the ability of T-Mobile users to authenticate to Pitt Passport-protected services using the “Call Me” and “Enter a Passcode” options. The Duo “Send Me a Push” option is not affected and can still be used to log in.

Duo is aware of the issue and working with T-Mobile to resolve it. Updates will be posted to status.pitt.edu as they become available.

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412 624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions about this announcement.

June Microsoft Security Update

Tuesday, June 9, 2020 - 15:50

 

Microsoft Corporation has announced security updates for June that affect the following software: 

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML-based)
  • Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) in IE Mode
  • Microsoft ChakraCore
  • Internet Explorer
  • Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps
  • Windows Defender
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Visual Studio
  • Azure DevOps
  • HoloLens
  • Adobe Flash Player
  • Microsoft Apps for Android
  • Windows App Store
  • System Center
  • Android App

Pitt Information Technology recommends that users immediately identify and install the security updates necessary to remediate these vulnerabilities by using Microsoft's Windows Update feature on their computers as soon as possible. Additional information about the updates is available on Microsoft’s Security TechCenter.

In addition, Pitt IT recommends that all students, faculty, and staff install Antivirus and Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes) Protection. Departments can submit a help request to obtain Malwarebytes for multiple machines.

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement.

Pitt Passport Login Page Receives New Look on June 13

Monday, June 8, 2020 - 16:36

 

Pitt Passport, the University’s single sign-on service, will be updated to reflect the University’s current branding on Saturday, June 13. You do not need to take any action, and the steps for logging in to University services will not change.

After June 13, the login page that you see when accessing Pitt Passport-protected services—including myPitt, the Student Information System (PeopleSoft), Canvas, and the Software Download Service—will have a fresh new look. A preview appears below. 

Remember that you can always verify the authenticity of the Pitt Passport login page—and protect yourself against scammers who may try to replicate the page—by confirming that the address bar at the top of your web browser begins with https://passport.pitt.edu (in some browsers, the “https://” is hidden or replaced with a lock icon).

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement.

Potential Data Breach at The Chronicle of Higher Education

Monday, June 8, 2020 - 16:12

 

Pitt Information Technology has received reports of a data breach that allegedly occurred at the publication The Chronicle of Higher Education in February 2020. The Chronicle of Higher Education has not confirmed the breach; however, evidence suggests that email addresses and passwords obtained from the breach are circulating on the dark web.

If you have an account at The Chronicle of Higher Education, Pitt IT recommends you change that password as soon as possible.

While the data exposed in the alleged breach did not come from University systems, sometimes individuals reuse the same passwords on multiple websites. If you use the same or a similar password at Pitt or other websites, you should also change those passwords.

In addition, utilize the following good password practices to minimize your susceptibility to data breaches:

  • Use a password manager to simplify the management of your various passwords. Pitt Password Manager (LastPass) is available at no cost to all students, faculty, and staff. You can use it to create strong, unique passwords for all your online services.
  • Do not reuse passwords across different websites. Scammers try variations of known passwords, so it is important to make sure your passwords are not similar to each other.  
  • Use strong, complex passwords that include symbols, numbers, and uppercase and lowercase letters.
  • Change your passwords frequently.
  • Use multifactor authentication on websites that allow it.

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement.

PBCS Unavailable Overnight Sunday-Monday, June 7-8

Friday, June 5, 2020 - 11:42

 

Please be aware that Oracle will perform infrastructure maintenance on the University’s Planning and Budgeting Cloud Service (PBCS) starting at 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, and continuing through 8 a.m. on Monday, June 8. Please do not attempt to access PBCS during this maintenance window.
 
Thank you for your understanding. Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement.

University Adopts New Antivirus Solution

Wednesday, June 3, 2020 - 14:35

 

Pitt Information Technology is pleased to announce that the University is adopting Microsoft Defender ATP as its new enterprise antivirus solution, replacing Symantec Endpoint Protection effective Friday, June 5. Antivirus is an important part of protecting both PittNet (the network that provides access to University computing resources, the internet and external research networks) and your personal data against cyberthreats. Defender provides excellent risk management, detection, response, and remediation that is integrated with Windows 10 and optimized for Office 365 desktop/cloud apps.

Because Symantec will stop providing virus definitions and security updates after the University’s license expires on June 13—and other antivirus software may not function properly with Symantec installed—it should be removed and replaced whenever possible on all University-owned workstations, as well as your personal devices.

Please visit our website for step-by-step instructions for updating University-owned and personal devices.

Pitt IT is implementing this change due to an unexpected and significant increase in Symantec licensing fees. Regardless, we consider Defender to be an excellent product that provides protection equal to or greater than the protection afforded by Symantec’s software, at substantial cost savings, as part of the University’s Microsoft Campus Agreement.

Thank you for your support during this transition. Should you need additional assistance, please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357).

Digital Certificate Renewal Scheduled for Tonight

Friday, May 29, 2020 - 17:07

 

The digital certificate that the University uses for secure authentication to PittNet services will be renewed tonight (May 29), starting at 9 p.m.

Based on the results of our testing, the certificate renewal should be seamless. However, it is possible that some users may be prompted to accept the new certificate on their devices when authenticating to PittNet. It is safe to accept the certificate if you are prompted to do so.

If you have questions or experience any issues after the certificate renewal, please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357).

Zoom Security Upgrade Requires Installation of New Client by May 30

Friday, May 22, 2020 - 14:55

 

On May 30, Zoom is implementing a stronger form of encryption that provides enhanced protection for meeting data. To enable these security enhancements, Zoom is requiring all users to upgrade to version 5.0 of the Zoom client by May 30.

After May 30, older versions of Zoom clients will be required to upgrade before they can be used to start or join a Zoom meeting.

You can learn more about Zoom on the Pitt Information Technology website.

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement.

The New Federated Authorization Community is Coming June 1

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 - 11:46

 

On June 1, Pitt Information Technology will release the University’s new Federated Authorization Community, which was announced in February. The new Community allows faculty and staff to request access to the University's enterprise systems and data—including PeopleSoft, Student Mart, and General Ledger (GL) Mart, as well as Responsibility Center Administrator (RC Admin) membership. Improvements include:

  • A single self-service experience to complete Federated Authorization Requests online
  • Improved workflow to reduce the time it takes to process requests
  • Browser- and mobile-friendly with support for Java
  • Email notifications to approvers when they have something to review
  • Status notifications when request(s) are finalized

Following the release, there will be a 15-day grace period to handle all previously submitted Federated Authorization requests through the current methods—including paper forms and electronic submissions—before these methods are retired.

Visit technology.pitt.edu/FACommunity for how-to steps, FAQs, video tutorials, and more.

Please contact the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357) if you have any questions regarding this announcement.

REMINDER: Intermittent System Outages During Weekend Downtime

Thursday, May 14, 2020 - 08:47

 

Pitt Information Technology will perform network maintenance on Saturday–Sunday, May 16–17 during the standard downtime period. Maintenance begins at 11 p.m. on Saturday and will conclude by 7 a.m. on Sunday.

University systems will be unavailable at times during the maintenance period. Affected systems include myPitt (my.pitt.edu), University websites, and systems that require authentication through Pitt Passport.

If you encounter any network issues or experience problems accessing servers at the Network Operations Center after the maintenance period, please report them as soon as possible to the Technology Help Desk at 412-624-HELP (4357).