September 12th, 2016

Microsoft is changing Windows servicing model October 2016

• Microsoft is changing their servicing model significantly starting in October 2016. This affects CLASSE Managed Windows 7 computers. Expected uptime and reliability is likely to decrease.

• We are creating a Wiki page of FAQs on this here: https://wiki.classe.cornell.edu/Computing/October2016ServicingFAQ

• Please feel free to discuss computing needs and options with us by submitting a service request or scheduling a meeting with the CLASSE Computer Group.

Cybersecurity at CLASSE

• Cornell's IT Security Office has started an IT security push. Stolen Credentials are a big problem that has led to some issues for central services such as spamming from users e-mail accounts.
• It's important to protect your NetID and CLASSE ID credentials.
• Phishing has gotten better recently, please be aware of the PhishBowl and Verified Communications services Cornell provides.
• Additional content is on our blog: http://blogs.cornell.edu/classeit/2016/09/12/computing-and-internet-security/

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General network and server maintenance will occur every Tuesday from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM. The CLASSE-IT group will always announce any expected disruptions in our NewsLetter and via CLASSE-IT-NEWS-L, but with the size and complexity of our network there is always the potential for something to go wrong. We will do our best to contain all network maintenance and planned outages to Tuesdays from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM.

Unless other arrangements have been made, CLASSE-managed Windows systems may be updated and rebooted on Tuesday morning at 2:00 AM, so please avoid critical or lengthy operations at that time. For more details, please see SystemExpectations.

The BeamPASS application receives bug fixes and new features on Tuesdays. When these updates are made, users will be logged out but should be able to login again within a few minutes. If you find BeamPASS is unavailable for longer than that, please submit a ServiceRequest.

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Questions or problems? Submit a service request (or email service-classe@cornell.edu).

Other resources:

• CLASSE-IT Home Page
• Previous newsletters

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