Computing and Communications Services News: June, 2005

June, 2005

Beware of the Latest 'Phishing' Scheme

A message that appears to be from the National Credit Union Administration is circulating widely on the Internet. The message informs recipients that access to their accounts has been limited until they verify their account information by clicking on a link and entering information. Beware — this is a bogus message intended to trick recipients into disclosing their personal and financial information so that perpetrators can launch identity theft attempts. People who receive this message or a similar one should delete it immediately. Do not forward it to others

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LBNL Women Participate in HPC Focus Group

In an effort to increase the number of women in the field of information technology and high performance computing (HPC), Contra Costa College (CCC) hosted a women-only focus group earlier this month as part of its HPC program. Berkeley Lab is one of the program’s advisers, and a number of LBNL women spoke at the event and shared the distinct paths they took to arrive at their careers today. Read more.

Raw Consumer Data for Sale Online

Despite years of security improvements and more coordinated law enforcement, the personal identity information that criminals siphon (including credit cards and bank account numbers) is boldly hawked on the Internet. The resale value of identity data increases if it can be readily converted to online purchases, counterfeit credit card manufacture, or more elaborate identity-theft schemes. Read more.

Service Tip

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New Mozilla Upgrade Available

Go here to install Mozilla 1.7.8, the latest upgrade to the Mozilla web browser and email client. This new version is a security upgrade, and can be written over your current version. Simply download the file to your computer desktop, double click the file to start the installer and follow the prompts onscreen. If you have any questions or if you currently do not have Mozilla and would like to install it, call the Help Desk (x4357).

Protecting Your Computer

Enrollment for July 12 Incident Response Course Is Open

What should you do and what should you definitely NOT do if your system has an actual or suspected security breach? Find out at the Computer Protection Program's incident response course to be held from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 12 in Perseverance Hall. A course description is here. There is no charge for attending, but enrollment is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. To enroll go here.

Security Tip: Don't Share Your Password with Anyone

Sharing your password with someone else is not only downright dangerous from a security perspective, but against Lab policy as stated in the RPM. Password sharing is only permissible if you have first obtained your system manager's explicit approval. Be especially wary of sharing passwords used for LETS access or for access to any Lab financial system because of the potential for unauthorized password use that leads to fraud. Password owners are responsible for the consequences of all use of their passwords, regardless of who actually uses the passwords. For further information, contact the Computer Protection Program at cppm@lbl.gov.

Monthly Virus Update: More Than 68,000 Worms Destroyed

The Lab's virus wall continues to guard Lab systems against worm and virus infections. Last month it detected and eradicated 68,676 worms and viruses, almost all of which target Windows systems. In contrast, the number in April was 38,849. Read more.

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