Computing and Communications Services News: January, 2003

January, 2003

Spam Blocking Update: New Anti-Spam Service to Roll Out in February

If only blocking junk email, or spam, were as easy as sending it. The Computing Infrastructure Technologies Group (CITG) is working to roll out Brightmail, a new anti-spam service that uses advanced technology to identify spam. This service will dramatically improve users' ability to manage junk mail. Labwide testing will begin in late February.

Heading to a New Office? Contact Computer and Communications Support Staff to Smooth the Move
If you are moving to a new office or building, contacting the computer and communications Help Desk staff in the Information Technologies and Services Division before moving day can make the transition go more smoothly.

LBLnet 1-800 and Local Dialup Service Improved
1-800-LBL-DATA and the local dialup service have been upgraded with the installation of a new server, bringing the dialup services in line with commercial service providers.

New Lab Training Course Provides an Introduction to XML
CompUSA, the vendor selected by the Lab to provide on-site computer training classes, is now offering an "XML: An Introduction." XML, or Extensible Markup Language, was created by the World Wide Web Consortium and has been endorsed by hardware and software manufactures, as well as research institutions, as a replacement for HTML.

New 5.2 Version of Eudora Needs Settings Change to Be Compatible with IMAP Email
Qualcomm recently released an upgrade to its Eudora email application, but when a Lab employee upgraded from 5.1 to the new 5.2 version, he was no longer able to receive email from the Lab's IMAP server. A computer support technician did a bit of investigative work and came up with the cause and a solution.

Explanation of the Month: Cut-off Date for Computer Support Recharges to Be 20th of the Month
In order to comply with the new DOE deadlines for financial reporting, the Computing Infrastructure Support (CIS) Department will now cut off computer support recharges on the 20th of the month. If the 20th falls on a holiday or weekend, the cutoff will be at the close of business the prior workday.

CIS provides recharge support through its Mac/PC and UNIX support groups.

Protecting Your Computer

Computer Backups - Making the Most of a Critical Service
Doing regular backups of your computer data is one of the most important ways you can protect your computer. While a number of Lab organizations have created their own systems for data backups, the Computing Infrastructure Support (CIS) Department offers several options for employees who may not have the time, inclination or expertise to do their own backups. Here are some tips from Chris Manders, leader of CIS's Backup services effort, for employees who use one of the Lab's centralized backup services.

Windows Users--Do You Really Need to Have Shares?
The most frequent cause of security incidents in Windows systems is shares (i.e., shared folders) that are improperly set up. When you share a folder, it is potentially available to any Internet user, or, worse yet, viruses and worms that look for share access that does not require passwords.

UNIX/Linux Security Hands-on Course to Be Offered Again on Feb. 20
The UNIX/Linux Security Hands-on course will be held again in Bldg. 51L from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, February 20, on behalf of those who were not able to get into the first course held this month. This course will give attendees practical, hands-on skills in protecting their UNIX and Linux systems.

Monthly Virus Update: New Worms Turn Up, Old Ones Still Prevalent
You guessed it -- WORM_KLEZ.H with 4,981 instances and WORM_YAHA.G with 660 instances placed first and second, respectively, as the most frequently detected and eradicated viruses trying to make their way through the LBNL virus wall. Several new worms surfaced, however.