Don’t Get Caught by Phishing ScamsPhishing is a high-tech scam that uses spam or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information. According to the 2004 annual report from security firm MessageLabs, the number of phishing attacks rose exponentially during 2004 — phishing messages in January 2004 numbered 337,050, but in November they totaled 4.5 million.* As phishing scams become more sophisticated they present a more serious risk for businesses or individuals who conduct business online. The MessageLabs report stated that some scams are able to access online banking information even when users do not click on any links. Therefore, if you have no dealings with the purported company, do NOT open the email message — simply delete it! (NOTE: These spams are also being sent to UNL organizational email accounts.) Follow these additional tips to avoid being hooked by a phishing scam and becoming a victim of identity theft.
For more information on phishing (and pharming), including how to report it, please see the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) website. For information on additional security concerns, please see these articles.
* “Phishing attacks skyrocket in 2004,” CNET, 6 December 2004. ~ Pam Peters [ Return to Table of Contents | CIT Information newsletter Index ] |
Free E-Book — Educating the Net GenerationEducating the Net Generation is a new e-book available free-of-charge from Educause. “The Net Generation has grown up with information technology. The aptitudes, attitudes, expectations, and learning styles of Net Gen students reflect the environment in which they were raised—one that is decidedly different from that which existed when faculty and administrators were growing up. This collection explores the Net Gen and the implications for institutions in areas such as teaching, service, learning space design, faculty development, and curriculum.” The e-book includes contributions by educators and students and is provided in PDF and HTML formats. Links to additional readings, videos, podcasts, and other resources are included.
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Time to Upgrade Your SoftwareWordPerfect Office 12If you use WordPerfect, upgrading to version 12 is a good idea. The program has several enhanced features and seems to run more quickly than previous versions. Enhanced features include
New features include
WordPerfect users who have paid for maintenance may up-grade for no additional charge. Simply purchase the CD for $6 from UNL Computer Sales. If you didn’t pay for maintenance and want to upgrade, you need to buy a new license. For purchase information, please go to the Corel Site Licenses page. You will find instructions for “Installing Corel WordPerfect Office 12” and the updated “Creating PDF files with WordPerfect” guide on the Tips, Tricks, & Techniques website. Mozilla Firefox 1.0.xThe Mozilla Firefox browser was officially released in November 2004 and since then Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) has lost market share for the first time since its launch in 1995. Firefox has many nice features without the security concerns of IE so many computer magazine reviewers are recommending that people take a serious look at using Firefox as their primary browser. We are also recommending that IANR and Extension personnel switch to using Firefox as their primary browser. Firefox benefits include
We also recommend that Mac users install Firefox as this browser works well with the eARFA application. There were problems with the Safari browser properly displaying all screens within the eARFA application. NOTE: You can NOT remove Microsoft Internet Explorer as it is required for accessing Windows and Microsoft Office updates. IE is also required by some sites such as the university’s Employee Self-Service site and Lotus Notes Web email access. Adobe Reader 7.0Adobe Reader 7 provides enhanced performance and several new features. If you have the full version of Adobe Acrobat 5 or 6 installed, you can now easily make Reader 7 the default program for reading PDF files New features include
NOTE on Preference Setting Change for versions 5-7: Making the following change will stop you from occasionally receiving the “Error reading linearized hint data” error when opening PDF files inside your browser. Version 6 & 7: Go to Edit > Preferences > Internet. Then uncheck the “Allow fast web view” option. Version 5: Go to Edit > Preferences > General > Options. Then uncheck the “Allow fast web view” option. IrfanView 3.95IrfanView is a graphic image viewing and editing program that we have been recommending since version 3.70. This program is small and easy-to-use; plus, it is free for noncommercial use. A lot of enhancements and additions have been made since version 3.70 so it is definitely worth upgrading. New and enhanced features include
Updated step-by-step guide: Use IrfanView for Simple & Quick Image Editing
[ Return to Table of Contents | CIT Information newsletter Index ] Check out the “Tip of the Month”Each month the CIT Computing website features a new Tip of the Month. Recent topics have covered easy image editing and making better use of PowerPoint. More PowerPoint tips coming in April.
[ Return to Table of Contents | CIT Information newsletter Index ] Posted March 25, 2005
CIT Information is published by Communications and Information Technology, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Newsletter articles may be copied and distributed for nonprofit, educational purposes only and the source must be acknowledged. Direct all correspondence to the editor, Pamela K. Peters (E-mail: pkpeters@unlnotes.unl.edu; Phone: 402/472-5630; FAX: 402/472-5639). The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is an affirmative action - equal opportunity employer. |
