Tech Alerts

Dear Faculty/Staff,

Our migration from Perceptive Content to SoftDocs has been successfully completed, laying a strong foundation for streamlined document and workflow management across the institution. This is a major milestone in enhancing how we handle and access important information—offering improved efficiency, reliability, and user experience.

While this transition marks a significant step, there’s more to come as we continue migrating existing workflows, beginning with our DocuSign processes. This phase is scheduled for completion by the end of August.

Stay tuned for updates on upcoming workflow transitions and opportunities for feedback.

As a Creative Cloud user, be advised that Adobe has discontinued Creative Cloud Synced Files. Files and folders previously shared within Creative Cloud Synced Files will no longer be accessible. Adobe will begin deleting the stored data in this directory soon, so we recommend taking action at your earliest convenience.

While files will remain in your local Creative Cloud Files folder, it is strongly advised that you download a copy of your synced files from the Creative Cloud Desktop app and do one of the following:

• Back up the files to a local location outside of the Creative Cloud sync directory.
• Back up the files to OneDrive (or your department’s cloud storage solution, if applicable).
• Back up the files to a Creative Cloud library.

You can download a copy of the synced data from the Creative Cloud website using the following steps:

1. Log in to the Creative Cloud Website and navigate to the Synced files tab.

2. Select Package files. If you do not see this button, you do not have any synced content.
   
3. Select Download. This process may take a while.

We are all aware of the increasing threat posed by cybercriminals and how they continue to become more sophisticated in their attempts to harm individuals and businesses. As they adapt to our defenses and shift their strategies, we must also enhance our security measures.

Effective February 1, 2025, the following options will be the only methods faculty and staff can use to authenticate their accounts and access systems through DUO MFA:

• DUO Push – If you have the DUO Mobile App installed on your smartphone or tablet, you can receive a push notification. From the app, you can approve or deny the login attempt.
• Passcodes via DUO Mobile App – By tapping the FDU logo in the DUO Mobile app, you can generate a single-use passcode. This code must be used immediately.
• Passcodes via SMS – Users can receive a one-time code via text message. To obtain the code, click Enter Passcode and then click the blue “Text me new codes” button. These codes do not expire until used. This option does not require a smartphone.
• Passcodes via Token (Departmental Approval Only) – Departments can request a physical token that generates passcodes for an employee’s MFA authentication. Departments will be charged for the token and are responsible for its return if the employee leaves the University. Tokens can be requested through a SAMI Support ticket.
• Security Key – Employees can purchase and use physical WebAuthn/FIDO2 security keys. After purchasing a key, employees can enroll their devices online. Once enrolled, the device validates the employee’s identity whenever the key is connected.

Approved Security Keys

Yubico offers both USB-C and USB-A versions to suit your device’s port compatibility.

Yubikey (USB-C)

Yubikey (USB-A)

On Friday, December 20th, between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM EDT, FDU will perform maintenance on network authentication services.

During this maintenance window, users may experience brief authentication delays when connecting to the wireless network or the FDU VPN.

Dear Fairleigh Dickinson Community,

As the holiday season approaches, we remind everyone to remain vigilant against potential phishing attempts. Cybercriminals often intensify their efforts during this time, exploiting the festive atmosphere and the busy nature of the season to target individuals.

Phishing attempts can take many forms, including emails and messages that appear legitimate. These fraudulent communications often mimic reputable sources and may request personal information, prompt you to click on malicious links, or download harmful attachments.

Here are a few tips to stay secure:

• Verify the sender: Check the sender’s email address carefully. Official university communications will always come from verified university email accounts.
• Think before you click: Be cautious with links and email attachments, especially if they urge immediate action or offer something that seems too good to be true.
• Protect your information: Avoid providing personal information such as passwords, Social Security numbers, or bank account details via email.
• Use advanced resources: Enable advanced cybersecurity tools, such as two-factor authentication, whenever available.
• Report suspicious emails: If you receive a questionable email, report it using the Outlook reporting function.
  
  For details on reporting phishing messages:

By exercising caution and reporting suspicious activity, we can contribute to a safer digital environment. Your awareness can prevent potential breaches, safeguard your personal information, and help secure the entire FDU community.

Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday season!

As part of our multipronged approach to combating phishing and other online scams, FDU OIRT regularly receives updates from the New Jersey Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Cell (NJCCIC). The NJCCIC is the cybersecurity division of New Jersey’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

The NJCCIC has alerted us to an ongoing phishing attempt specifically targeting educational institutions. This scam email includes a Microsoft Word attachment claiming to provide details about a supposed “US Student Service Supplementary Grant” designed to assist students with educational and well-being expenses. The email instructs recipients to click on a link to a Google form to obtain these funds. The form requests sensitive personal and financial information, including school and FAFSA account details, online banking information, date of birth, and Social Security number. If submitted, this information is stolen by the threat actors running the phishing campaign. While Google has since disabled this specific form, similar malicious webpages are likely to appear.

If you receive an email of this nature, know that it is not a legitimate grant opportunity. Refrain from submitting any information. If you have already shared your information, change your password immediately, file a report with identitytheft.gov, and freeze your credit to mitigate potential identity theft attempts.

On September 27th, we sent an alert to the community regarding an issue with certain FDU-issued Lenovo laptop computers. For affected users, the boot process occasionally does not complete successfully, causing the laptop to remain on the Lenovo start-up screen.

After extensive testing, OIRT and our vendors have identified the root cause of the issue. If you experience this issue again, either as a recurrence or for the first time, create a support ticket, and we will apply the fix to permanently resolve it.

Fairleigh Dickinson University recently updated its licensing agreement for the Microsoft 365 suite of applications. In recent days, members of our community have reported seeing a variation of a popup message claiming that FDU’s school license is expiring and will soon be deactivated.

If you encounter this message, you can resolve the issue in a few quick steps:

1. Open Microsoft Word and navigate to “Account” in the lower-left corner

2. On the Account page, select the “Resolve” button

3. This will redirect you to the “Activate Office” page. Sign in using your FDU NetID to complete the activation

This process ensures your Microsoft 365 applications remain active under the new licensing agreement. In the unlikely event that you are still experiencing issues after performing this procedure, please create a ticket on SAMI Support.

Anthology has scheduled maintenance for the Blackboard (SaaS) environment. The FDU Webcampus system will be unavailable starting at 2:00 AM Eastern Time on Thursday, November 28, for approximately six hours. While it is possible the upgrade may finish early, Anthology cannot guarantee this.

This scheduled maintenance is required to keep the Webcampus environment up to date. During the downtime, users attempting to log in to Webcampus will encounter a maintenance notice page.

In the summer of 2018, FDU launched the Red Folder Initiative. The Red Folder is a quick-reference guide to mental health resources for faculty and staff who interact with distressed students.

The Red Folder helps faculty and staff identify common signs of student distress and navigate campus protocols in emergencies. It also provides tips on approaching a student who may be in distress and guidance on connecting them with appropriate resources.

FDU OIRT will push an update to the Red Folder for all FDU-owned faculty and staff Windows and macOS computers on 11/20/24. After the update, the Red Folder icon may change positions on your Windows desktop or move to the dock for macOS users. Most importantly, it will now direct faculty and staff to Reporting Students of Concern guide.

Reporting Students of Concern

If you do not receive the update by 11/22/24 or have questions, visit SAMI Support.