Information Technology Services Blog

Over the last 12 months, hackers have been targeting passwords of users through various resources on the Internet. In recent months, the following major websites have had their password databases stolen:

• LivingSocial (50 million accounts)
• Evernote (50 million accounts)
• Zappos (24 million accounts)
• LinkedIn (6.5 million accounts)
• eHarmony (1.5 million accounts)
• Last.fm (undisclosed but estimated at over 16 million)

These attacks highlight the need to keep isolated credentials. Make sure the passwords you use for College resources are unique, and not similar to any password you use for external resources. In addition, you should keep your Holy Cross network password unique from your Holy Cross Gmail password. This “isolation” of passwords ensures that if one were to be compromised, the other is not. Another smart step to take is to enroll in Gmail’s 2-Step Verification. This is optional, but it will make it substantially harder for someone to steal control of your College gmail account. Details on 2-Step Verification are found here:

http://support.google.com/accounts/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=180744

If you have used any of the aforementioned websites over the last year, and your password on those sites is even remotely similar to your College network password or College Gmail password, you are really must change your passwords. You may do by visiting our website, going to the Login page, and clicking on the “Password Reset” link.

Human Resources and Information Technology Services are pleased to invite you to “Data Destruction Day.” On October 4th, in front of O’Kane on Linden Lane, the College’s shredding partner, ProShred, will be stationed with their paper and hard drive shredding trucks from 9am to 11am. Bring in any paper items, old hard drives, floppy drives, thumb drives, CDs, DVDs, zip drives, and ProShred will physically destroy them onsite.

Faculty & Staff, this is a great opportunity to put those filing cabinets on a weight loss program. Those bankers boxes sitting in the storage room? Those ancient zip disks hiding in the deep dark recesses of your desk? Those mysterious tapes that you don’t even have a computer that could read the format (remember the floppies?)! Bring them. Even bring things from home, with the caveat that the College isn’t responsible for its security (though you’ll get to watch it be destroyed, so don’t let the disclaimer spook you).

All materials destroyed are recycled where possible by ProShred.

Some ground rules:

• This event is open only to Holy Cross Faculty, Students and Staff. Bring your HC ID.
• As aforementioned, bring material from home if you’d like, but the College isn’t responsible if you lose it or it otherwise vanishes prior to destruction.
• Electronic media is limited to hard drives, flash/thumb drives, CD’s, DVD’s, floppy disks, tapes, and zip drives. If you have an old computer, we can help you remove the hard drive that day if you bring in just the system unit (not the monitor, keyboard, etc.).
• Get the necessary approvals before bringing stuff. Emptying that filing cabinet may seem like a good idea, but make sure none of it is needed any longer. If in doubt, ask.
• Don’t leave anything you bring to the event unattended.
• This is NOT an electronics recycling event, so do NOT bring T.V.s, VCRs, monitors, etc.

If you have any questions about the event, don’t hesitate to ask.

Ellen Keohane and David Shettler
Information Technology Services
508-793-2477

Dear Students,

Welcome back! Over the break ITS and the Library installed a print management system in all libraries and the O’Kane lab. Printing for the Holy Cross Community is free. However, we are trying to reduce waste as part of the overall Holy Cross committment to reduce our carbon footprint.

There are 2 major differences in how printing will work.

1) Each location will have one print release station. You can print from any computer, but you must go to the station to release your job.

2) Logging in with your network ID is essential. This is how your job will be identified at the release station. Please remember to logoff when you’re finished so the next person doesn’t accidentally print with your name.

There will be instructions in the libraries and in O’Kane. Our staff members are also available to assist.

Please help the campus Go Green and print only what’s needed.

Sincerely,

Ellen Keohane, Director of Information Technology Services

Karen Reilly, Interim Director of Library Services