Multi-Factor Authentication - World Password Day

Now that you've learn how to create a secure password. Let's learn about more security techniques available to us. 

Hypothetically, let’s say a malicious actor manages to crack your safe and secure password. Wow! Sounds like it's game over, right? 

In theory, the hacker will now have access to your ESU account, important files and emails. Along with your personal information and the the ability to edit your account. Moreover, if you had access to other people’s personal information (by way of your job functions), the attacker will also be able to access that information!

But, what happens if you have Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enabled? 

The hacker, who has your password, would now also need your second factor to actually log into your account. That just tipped the scales dramatically in your favor.  Even though your password is in the hand of the attacker, your second factor, usually a cell-phone application, is safe and sound. 

When the attackers try to log in, all they will get is a prompt for the 2nd factor, which they will not have. WIN for the Home Team!

So, while using MFA to log into your account adds an extra step, it is huge in keeping our information out of the wrong hands! It is why many companies are now moving to MFA, to secure accounts against fraud and identity theft.

ESU has begun deploying MFA to our campus staff and faculty and will continue to increase and improve our MFA options as the year progresses. As we do so, please remember that we are striving to keep your information out of the hands of all malicious actors that wish us harm.

Here are some things to remember regarding MFA options:

1. Always opt in for MFA for accounts where it is offered, especially those that contain personal or financial sensitive information.
   
   
2. When selecting an MFA option, we recommend using a smart-phone application (such as Microsoft Authenticator) as the most secure option.  These applications will typically allow you to enter a code or use a “push notification”. Both are secure, but the push notification is the most convenient as it asks you to verity that you just attempted to log in.
   
   Selecting the option 'yes' (or checkmark for some apps) and you are good to go.
   
   
3. If you use the text or call option instead, always remember to select a device or phone number that you will have access to when logging into your account.

Remember, a password without MFA is like a car without a seatbelt. Sure the car offers some protection, but if the worst happens, you will be glad you had that seatbelt on!

One Password, Slightly Used? - World Password Day

PASSWORD RE-USE:

Let’s say you have formulated the most perfect password that is possible to construct. It is easy to remember, a mile long, and has all the available character types. Now you’re set to use it for all of your accounts, right?

Not so fast. Even the most perfect password can be vulnerable to sophisticated attacks against the company that runs the servers that your account uses. In some recent high-profile cases, servers have been attacked and user account information siphoned out.  So even doing all the right things doesn’t mean a determined hacker can’t figure out what the password is (through no fault of your own).

Yikes! Now what? If this happens to you it could have serious consequences that you could not have avoided. But what if that perfect password that just got hacked is used for everything in your life?  All of a sudden, the attacker has access to EVERYTHING! Your social media accounts, your school accounts, even your bank account!

That is why we recommend you never “re-use” a password. If you have a separate password for each account, it won’t prevent a determined hacker from getting into one account, but it will prevent that same attacker from getting into everything.

But that’s a lot of passwords, right. “How am I going to remember all of those?!”

    1. As we covered in or last Daily Download, make your long passphrases something memorable. You can use that as a basis for a series of passphrases (a theme) and use significant variations on that theme (Remember, if they are too similar then it won’t be any better than using the same one for everything).

    2. Alternately, you can use a password manager. These are applications that can manage multiple account passwords for you. All you, then, have to remember is the one password for that application and it will do the rest. A Google search on “password manager” will give you a number of applications to choose from, each with their strengths, weaknesses, and prices (some are free). If you have questions, ask IT Security – we’ll be glad to help you decide on a suitable solution.

    3. Finally, avoid the temptation to allow your web-browser to remember your passwords. These are less secure than a password manager. Hackers may be able to “harvest” those passwords if you ever get malware on your computer (which is a whole topic for another time).  Besides being less secure, they only work when you are using that browser to access your accounts and they may forget all your passwords in certain circumstances.

Strength in Numbers (or Characters?!) - World Password Day

PASSWORD STRENGTH:

We all know the drill: enter a username and password to access your accounts. But are you aware that, in many cases, your password is the only thing standing between your important on-line accounts and a malicious actor trying to get in and steal your information, your identity, and your money?  That is why having an effective password is so important.

So, what constitutes an “effective” password?

Well, a password is “effective” if it keeps bad actors out. But to do that, you need to know what you are up against.  These bad actors have at their disposal many tools that try to defeat your password. One is a list of maybe the 10 million or so most common or previously hacked passwords, including popular variations of some of the more common. Adding a zero in place of the “o” in “password” will not be any more secure. They also use “dictionary” attack tools that look for actual words or variations of words (like the zero vs “o” above).  Finally, if those fail, they use tools to rapidly guess passwords one character at a time. So just using any a random collection of characters, if too short, will still allow the hacker to guess the password in a reasonable amount of time.

How do I have a strong password?

1.      Make it long – 14 or more characters. This dramatically slows down the character-at-a-time guessing technique. 

2.       Use a “pass-phrase” instead of a “password”.  String words and characters together in a way that is meaningful to you (and therefore easier to remember) but impossible to guess (hint: don’t use information about yourself that may be available on the internet).

3.       Include as many types of characters as you can. For examples, use lower and uppercase alphabetic characters, numbers, and special characters as allowed by the application or account. Some include minimum requirements to include, for example, 3 of the 4 types mentioned here.

Finally, if you discover that a password you currently use is on the weak side, change it!  Most sites and accounts will let you change your password whenever you like.

If you want to test your password to see if it has been used in a data breach, try haveibeenpwned.com. Their database consists of over 600,000,000 passwords that have been obtained from data breaches.  To test your password strength to see how long it would take a hacker to guess it, go on over to security.org.

Designing the Perfect Password - World Password Day

Are YOU still using that same password you created way back in day?

Pets Name? Kids’ names? Birthdates? Anniversaries? The word 'password'?     

Today those tactics no longer work. With data breaches at an all time high, we need to protect ourselves more than ever! Just a few small things can drastically help protect all your important online accounts. Here is a few you can try!

Create Robust Passwords: Make it difficult for Hackers to guess. Make your passwords contain at least 10 characters, have BOTH a capital and lower-case letter, and one or more symbols/numbers. (i.e., !@#$%^&*() 123456789). Use a “pass-phrase” instead of a password to make it longer and more memorable to you but even harder to guess.

Use Different Passwords: Make sure to use a different password for every account you have. If you use the same password for your personal e-mail, work e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, bank account, etc., and just one of those sites were to be compromised, the attacker would then have the “Golden Key” to all of your accounts. Do not make it that easy for them!

Always opt for Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):  It is very important to make our data as secure as we can.  Having a second layer of security in place to protect us is never a bad thing! That way, even if your password is obtained by a bad actor, they still won’t have access to those accounts protected by a 2^nd factor.  Most companies now offer MFA or 2FA when you sign up for their services. When available always OPT IN! If you already have an account that is not protected by these, check back every so often. More and more companies are enabling these features.

Change your password every few weeks: The reason for changing your password on a regular basis is to protect you and your data from ongoing password attacks. With today’s hacking tools, guessing a simple password (a name, word, or common pattern) trivially easy. But even a good password can be guessed eventually, but it does take time.  Also, when hackers compromise an account, they may not always act right then and there, some continue to silently watch for as long as the password remains the same. When you change your password regularly it does not allow the hackers much time to act.

Do NOT Tell Anyone Your Password:  Your Passwords are Personal and Non-transferable. Do not give anyone the “Golden Key” to your information. Protect it like you would a safety deposit key!

May 6 is World Password day. We will post information and helpful tips all week, so watch for more information!

April Apple Event: Key Take-Aways and Major Announcements

 

This month apple hosted it’s spring Apple Event to announce updates and some new products for 2021. This is a brief overview of new products, facelifts, and what to expect in the upcoming year.

 

Going Green and New Software

Apple started off the show talking about their achievements and future goals in carbon-neutrality. At the corporate level, the company has reached their goal of 0 net carbon output, a huge feat for the tech powerhouse. However, CEO Tim Cook announced their new, even loftier goal: for Apple’s entire supply chain to reach 0 net carbon output by 2030. Given the corporations massive scope this would be a massive achievement in carbon neutrality.

Apple also announced updates for their Apple Card, giving new features geared toward use between multiple people and families. These features include and ability to build multiple lines of credit and permit use by children above the age of 13. Apple also announced the redesigned Podcasts app. The new look allows for shows to create a custom home page and create channels of similar podcasts. They also announced the addition of a subscription service where content creator can offer kickback for a monthly subscription. This service would compete with other services like Patreon.

 

AirTag

Apple announced the new AirTag as a solution for those who have trouble keeping track of just about anything. The new product uses the Find My app to track anything you can put a keychain on. Keys, wallet, and even dog collars will now be easily findable through your apple devices. AirTags are currently available for preorder and will launch on Friday, April 30 at a price of $29 or 4 for $100

 

The Facelifts

Apple touched on a few products that will be receiving some minor updates. These include the iPhone 12’s new purple color option. Apple TV 4K now has the option to carry the A12 chip supporting high frame rate HDR and a redesigned Siri remote. Missing from the events lineup was anything to be said about AirPods, Apple Watch, but the main event this spring was the iMac and iPad Pro

iMac Overhaul

The M1 chip has come to the iMac and now has room to unlock it’s true potential. The new iMac has been redesigned to allow the flagship Apple chip to stretch out its legs and run. In essence, everything got updated for this years iMac. The new, lower profile logic board allows for a thinner desktop and smaller fans, decreasing wasted desk space and quieter fans. The new screen now displays at 4.5K TruTone in the 24” model which now also sports a 1080p webcam and improved microphones and speakers to make online calls and conferences the highest quality they’ve ever been. Apple also offers a 2TB model, 7 different colors, and new keyboards that will support TouchID. The iMac will be available to order April 30^th and will start at $1,299.

 

iPad Pro

This years iPad Pro feels like apple trying to run away with the performance tablet game. iPad will now support the Apple M1 chip and, like iMac, is seeing upgrades in every performance field. If the new iPad can deliver on all of its promises, it looks to be the most powerful tablet in the game, comparing better to most notebooks as opposed to other tablets. iPad Pro will now support thunderbolt, a long awaited arrival, and USB 4 allowing it to connect to 6K displays. It also receives the annual camera updates but now ill have increased abilities for motion capture and AR. Pre-orders will be available April 30^th and pricing starts at $799 for the 11” model and $1,099 for the 12.9”

Fake Instagram Account Scamming Students Impersonating Union Activities Council

We have come across reports of fake Instagram accounts impersonating UAC (Union Activities Council) with the handles @uac_of_esu__ and @uac_of_essu.

These fake instagram accounts followed the followers of the original UAC account:  @uac_of_esu and sent messages and direct message like the one below containing malicious url. 

Please note that this is a scam.

If you fell victim to this scam and clicked on the links and/or provided your credit card details - please change your passwords immediately and also contact your credit card company to avoid fraudulent charges on your account.

myIT Revamped!

We started myIT 4 years ago as a place to find how-to articles, basic information about ESU systems and training opportunities.  We have been working the last couple of years to broadly improve not only the site, but our processes as well.  We are proud to offer our new myIT site which has even more self-service options and more knowledge base articles than ever before.

We started our journey by looking at IT Service Management as a way of ‘doing business’.  That led to acquiring a special software tool that manages those processes.  With myIT you can report an issue or request a service, view IT projects, and find answers to questions along with step-by-step how-to articles.  You can view the status of your ticket requests, reply to tickets, view service outages and more.

In Hornet365, from the Students, Faculty, or Employees page, just click on the MY IT link.  There is a robust search engine to look for services and knowledge. You can view the knowledge base articles and all the other information without logging in.  If you want to submit a work order you will sign in using your university username and password.  Once you have submitted a ticket, you will get a confirmation email, and when tickets are updated you will receive emails. 

We are excited to bring you this new service and encourage you to explore all the parts of our new myIT!

Data Privacy Day

First, some sobering facts:  At least half of all adults in the USA have had their personal information exposed through hacking and data breaches. Most folks feel they have lost control over how personal information is collected and used by companies. Many have just given up trying to control this situation, but most want to do more to secure their personal information online. 

So, for those that want to know more about how to protect their privacy online, here are a few tips: 

Think before you act.  Phishing scams depend upon you reactive impulsively to threats or emergencies. Any email requiring you to log into an account or click a link because of imminent danger should be re-read with a skeptical eye. 

Be careful what you post.  What you post on-line will live somewhere on the internet even if you ‘delete’ it. Many areas of society used social media posts as a form of character reference. 

Be careful who you trust.  Anyone on the internet can say anything. Don’t automatically assume that someone is who they say they are or that they can be trusted.  This is especially true for social media and children. Predators love to use social media to become ‘friends’ with children and then prey on them. 

Do a ‘security settings’ checkup.  Every application we use online has a set of security and privacy settings. It will pay big dividends to learn about those settings and how to prevent unwanted sharing of information. 

Get two steps ahead.  2-step verification or multi=factor authentication is absolutely the best defense against online account compromise.  It uses something in addition to passwords to log into your account.  If an online service provides the option to use 2-step verification, use it.  It is usually easy to set up and gives you options that provide the best convenience for your situation. 

The internet has revolutionized our lives in many ways, but it has also introduced many serious risks. Be smart about your on-line life and the internet will work for you instead of against you. Learn more at staysafeonline.org. 

  

Your Information Security Team 

BREAKING NEWS: Holiday Spirit Missing in 2020?!

Most Emporia State University students and employees have headed out for a well-earned break following the Fall 2020 semester. But, the missing holiday spirit is particularly troubling on this cold December day. We are hearing, unofficially, that the holiday spirit may arrive later than expected this year.

Find out more from our globetrotting international anchors! 

Thank you to all of our readers and viewers. We strive to keep you informed (and maybe even a little entertained at times). 

Have a wonderful and safe winter break and we look forward to even greater things in 2021!

- With ♥ from the Web and Digital Strategies team

Holiday Season, Holiday Scams

The holiday shopping season is here once more and that means the online scammers are out in full force threatening to be the coal in your proverbial stocking.  Here are a few things to look out for:

• We’ve been alerted that users are being targeted by phone calls—allegedly from companies like Apple or Amazon.  The automated caller may tell you there is a problem with a package or your account.  They will then direct you to either "press 1" or call another phone number to "resolve the problem".  This is a scam to get personal information from you.  Do not "press 1" or return the phone call.  If you suspect there may be a problem with Apple account or an Amazon purchase contact those service providers from their company web pages.

• Watch out for holiday shopping deals that are sent via email or text.  Never click on links in email unless you recognize the sender.  If you're shopping online, stick to places that you've purchased from previously or are reputable.

• Never, ever give out your social security number to retailers.  If you're asked for personal information in order to complete a purchase--walk away.

• Buy with credit cards--or better yet use services like PayPal and Apple Pay.  These provide an extra layer of protection when shopping online.  Avoid using debit cards, if possible.  Credit cards tend to have better fraud protection.

• Start the holiday season by making sure your computer, tablet, smartphone and any other Internet-connected devices are up to date with the latest software and that you're using strong passwords with all of your accounts.

• If you donate to charitable organizations, use extra caution this year.  Scammers are taking advantage of COVID-19 to send out fake charitable requests, often by email or text.  These can be indistinguishable from legitimate organizations--even using the appropriate charity's logo.  Unfortunately, these scammers don't just take your money, they also steal your identity, banking info, and SSN.  If you want to donate, visit the charity's website yourself--don't click on an email or text message.

Brian Osbourn
Director

Web and Digital Strategies

2020 Holiday Tech Gift Guide

The holidays are here, and if you are wondering what gifts to get this year, we have come up with an easy list for you! Now, it's time to bring out the wallets and begin the splurge.

GAMING

1. 
   Xbox Series X / S
   
   A new generation has begun. It's been 7 years since the last generation of Xbox (Xbox One). This time Microsoft takes a special approach, releasing two separate consoles right out of the gate. The Xbox Series X ($499) and Xbox Series S ($299).
   
   
   
2. 
   Sony PS5 / PS5 Digital
   
   Just like the Xbox, Sony has released two PS5 versions, with a much different approach The PS5 Digital edition ($399) and the PS5 with a Blu-Ray optical drive ($499).
   
   
   
3. 
   Nintendo Switch.
   
   If you're into gaming, but want to tap into the Nintendo world, the  Switch is a great option for you and the family. Enabling you to play tons of quirky, yet interesting games and numerous 21st century renditions of classics!

MOBILE

1. iPhone 12 / 12 Pro Max
   
   
   The holiday season is always a great time to get a new iPhone. This year, we're recommending the iPhone 12 ($799), and if you want to splurge a little extra, the iPhone 12 Pro Max ($1,099). Now using the latest chips, enabled with 5G, updated cameras, and improved screens.
   
   
   
2. Apple Watch SE / Series 6
   
   
   
   
   Looking for a smart watch? Or even 'the future of health on your wrist'? Well you're in luck! Starting at $279 the Apple Watch SE is the best bang for your buck. But if you were feeling extra colorful and wanted to indulge in the new Atlantic Blue or Product Red then the Series 6 is better suited for you (starting at $399)

COMPUTE

1. 
   Apple MacBook AIR / PRO
   
   Are you looking for the fastest, greatest, least expensive, most portable laptop? The MacBook Air with M1 is your best bet, and far surpasses the competition. For $899 (after the education discount), it makes you wonder why you would even consider the new AirPods Max for $600.
   
   Now, if you feel the need to have more battery life and an active cooling system, then for $300 more the MacBook Pro 13" with M1 ($1,199) should get you fully sorted.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. 
   Apple iPad AIR
   
   We are big proponents for the tablet revolution, whether it be for school, work, creativity or even entertainment. The iPad Air ($599) is a great entry point in 2020.
   

AUDIO

1. 
   Apple AirPods Pro
   
   To tag along with all your new devices, you have to have new earphones. Our favorite pick are the AirPods Pro ($250) from last year. We covered this in our list last year, and the technology remains the same!
   

CAMERA

1. DJI Pocket 2
   
   
   
   If the camera on your new iPhone and iPad aren't cutting it for you; seriously, what are you doing? Then the new DJI Pocket 2 ($349) is the perfect small pocketable camera for you. With motorized active stabilization, 4K/60 fps, HDR enabled, Stereo Audio Recordings and a wide variety of additional accessories for that Holywood like cinematic shots.

Theo Belmonte + Saandhyarag Sasidhar

Web and Digital Strategies

IT After Hours: True Next Generation Gaming with the PlayStation 5

If you are currently trying to buy a Next-Gen console right in time for the holidays, GOOD LUCK!
Trust me, you'll need it.

This is all thanks to the ordeal of pre-ordering, which has been an absolute nightmare. Add on the issues of scheduled deliveries gone missing, and you're set to have a truly immersive Next-Gen frustration. But, sooner or later you too shall receive the all new latest and greatest in the console world. (Exact dates not clear)

PS5 (barely) in a cabinet

In the meanwhile, let's quickly glance over this behemoth of a machine! It's quite big in size (15.4 in x 10.24 in x 4.09 in to be exact). Good luck fitting it into your cabinet! Sony clearly wanted it to be a bold statement piece in the room.

There are TWO PS5 versions (PS5 Digital $399 | PS5 $499). The only difference being the Digital version has no Blu-Ray optical drive, making it aesthetically more symmetrical and a $100 cheaper. Besides that the guts, storage and every other hardware component is the exact same. 

Microsoft seems to have taken a much different approach with their Next-Gen Consoles.

The PS5 supports a base resolution of 4K 120 FPS (variable), and has the option for 8K 60 FPS compatibility (future update). It supports HDR 10, a whole new way of hearing in game sounds with 3D Audio, and Ray Tracing rendering support for more life-like and realistic graphics. 

The DualSense controller has been reimagined from the ground up, and when you play Sony's Astro Play Room game/demo you truly feel the Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers fully immerse you into the virtual world you're in. More games will start tapping into these offerings soon.

In simple speak, it'll look, sound and feel like true Next-Gen gaming. Although you don't need to upgrade your TV, in order to experience true Next-Gen be sure your TV has 4K HDR. The PS5 ships with an HDMI 2.1 cable, so you won't need any new cables.

The custom created SSD can transfer data at lightning speeds of 5.5GB/sec. It is worth knowing that out of the box only 675GB of useable space is available. Users will be able to upgrade it through an NVME slot later and we should be receiving more options relatively soon.

Sony has built upon the PS4 user interface, but has redesigned it to be easier to navigate and more user friendly. The PS5 can also act as your entertainment center by playing your favorite movies, shows and music.

If you're ever planning on playing online, you will need to get PSN+ ($60/year). One of the added benefits being, you receive complimentary PS4 games to play, but compared to Microsoft Game Pass it's nowhere close in terms of games and feels like more of an after thought from Sony.

It is worth noting that the current PS5 game catalog is significantly sparse. It also has limited backwards compatibility and not many games tap into its numerous Next-Gen features.

However, in the coming years you will be seeing an uptick in games that tap into all the offerings of a PS5.

If you really think about it, gaming consoles are a great value proposition. For around $500, you get 7+ years of fully supported gaming before having to upgrade.

Now that I've convinced you to get one, GOOD LUCK! We don't know when the next drop is, but you can keep track of stock across all online retailers here.

Saandhyarag Sasidhar
Web and Media Specialist
Web and Digital Strategies

IT After Hours: A New Generation of Xbox

 

A new generation has begun. It's been 7 years since the Xbox One, the last generation of Xbox, hit the market. Microsoft takes a special approach to this generation though, releasing two separate consoles right out of the gate. Let's dig into the details.

Xbox Series S

The cheaper of the two, the Series S, features a lower price point at the cost of lower specs. Priced at $299, the series S is the more budget friendly option. 

The smaller size of the Series S is appealing to a lot of gamers as well, as it easily fits into any cabinet. The slimmer, shorter, and lighter Series S weighs a mere 4.25 pounds.

As we continually move towards a fully digital future, the Series S axes the optical disc drive. Now this can be beneficial in terms of saving space and money, and digital games are widely available. However with the limited storage out of the box you will need to upgrade, and the 1TB Seagate storage expansion costs a whopping $220. Making the overall cost a lot closer to the bigger sister the Series X.

If you are planning on having multiple gaming consoles, this is definitely a great way to dip your toes into the Xbox world. 

Xbox Series X

The better performing and bigger console, the Series X, comes in at $499. It outperforms the Series S in multiple categories, so you get what you pay for.

The biggest improvement of the new generation is the load times. Review after review shows that the load times between the home screen and the game menu is exponentially quicker than the Xbox One. There's also a pretty neat feature called 'Quick Resume' that comes in handy when you want to switch between games.

Another improved feature is the noise level of the console. Though the Xbox One has been reputably loud, the fan and cooling system of the Series X is near silent. It’s difficult to judge the dust build-up's impact on the noise and fans in just a few weeks since its release, but there hasn't been any immediate causes for concern (except for the fake smoke fiasco).

Microsoft has stuck to the tried, tested and true Xbox controllers and have very slightly changed the controllers. Along with the addition of features like Smart Delivery for Games, 3D Spatial Audio, and Enhanced Backwards Compatibility for Xbox One, 360 and Original games.

Another great addition to the lineup has been the release of Microsoft Game Pass for $14.99/month. This gives you the benefits of Xbox Live Gold, along with access to 100+ games from day one, with new titles being added regularly, and EA Play tacked on.

Overall, the Xbox Series X outperforms the Series S, but at a higher up front cost. Our recommendation is to always get the latest and the greatest, if you're trying to get your order in, good luck! Here's a tracker tool that we've used in securing the console.

Tyler Parker + Saandhyarag Sasidhar

Web & Digital Strategies

New Macs + Apple Silicon: The Highlights

This week, Apple introduced their first Macs with Apple Silicon, or processors, fully designed by Apple.  The chip, called M1, builds from the technology already included in iPads, iPhones, and Apple TV's.  This marks the third time that Apple has switched architectures in the Mac, moving away from the original Motorola chips, then the  PowerPC switch in 2005, and now what is expected to be a two-year transition period away from Intel processors.  The change promises to provide faster performance, longer battery life, and less expensive devices.  Announcing earlier this year that the first Apple Silicon-powered Mac would ship in 2020, the California-based company delivered threefold with a MacBook Air, a MacBook Pro, and a Mac Mini at the Mac-focused event on November 10.  All are shipping within a week.

While we've not yet tested the new devices, we can highlight the following takeaways provided by Apple.

• Software will need to be modified to work natively on the new M1 chip.  Apple has built in the ability for software designed for the Intel-based Macs to run on these new M1-based Macs using a translation layer--think of this as two people speaking two different languages using a translator.  The expectation is that software would run slower using this process, but it should run.  Of course, at ESU, all software will need to be tested.  Developers will have the ability to include the necessary code to run on both platforms by providing a single universal app.  While Apple had converted their catalog of software to the new format in time for the Mac event, we've now started to see mainstays in the Mac software community begin to announce their plans in short order including Microsoft, Adobe and Affinity.
• For those running Windows on their Mac, the new M1 Macs do not support it any longer.
• You'll now be able to run iOS or iPadOS apps on a Mac!
• The MacBook Air and the MacBook Pro 13" do not support more than one external monitor.
• There are 13" versions of the Intel-based MacBook Pro available to purchase (although at a premium, and why would you?).  The MacBook Air is now only available with the M1 chip.
• Given the two-year timeline, Apple Silicon-powered versions of the iMac and others are most likely to appear within that time period.  Keep that in mind if you were considering replacing a current iMac.
• Apple will continue to provide software and OS updates to the Intel Macs going forward.

 

On November 12, Apple released the new version of MacOS called Big Sur.  In addition to being a new version of the operating system, it is also the first to move beyond MacOS X and is now MacOS 11.  We'll be covering Big Sur in a future post.

8 New iOS Features You May Not Know About

Apple’s new iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 are here! Among the many new features included are widgets on the home screen, apps rearrangement, privacy improvements, and much more! Today we are reviewing 8 of the coolest features you might not know about. iOS 14 is available on the iPhone 6s and newer iPhone. We will also review the new iPhones announced on November 13. The new iOS features may improve your experience using your iPhone or iPad--and if you're considering the Apple ecosystem, this is just a sampling of the innovation and ease of use that is available in the most recent releases.


The Safari Privacy Report

One of the new hidden features in iOS 14 includes the Safari Privacy Report. Safari now allows you to see the percentage of websites that contacted trackers, as well as the trackers prevented from following you. To see your privacy report, simply click on the “AA” in the left part of the address bar within Safari.


You can now choose your default email or web browser

We’ve all been annoyed when we can’t use Gmail or Outlook, as our default mail client or even Chrome as our default web Browser. But that limitation comes to an end in iOS 14 as it is now possible to set any browser app you want as your default browser. Similarly, you can set a default email client.

In order to enable this feature, go to the setting app of your iPhone and then scroll down to the app you want to enable as your default web browser/mail and then simply just click on “default app” to choose your favorite app.



Watch videos in “Picture in Picture” mode

When watching a video from your iPhone or iPad, it is now possible to leave the safari app and use your other features of your iPhone like answering your DMs or checking your email and the video will still be playing from the corner of your device.

Unfortunately, this feature is not available for the YouTube app yet, however, this feature is available when watching YouTube from Safari or Chrome.



Tap the back of your phone to enable cool stuff

In order to enable this cool new feature, go to the Setting app>Accessibility>Touch>Back Tap.
For example, you can now take a screenshot or shazam a song you hear by double-tapping the back of your phone.



Lock an App

If you have some apps that contains private information and you don’t want anyone to be able to go on those apps when they borrow your phone, it is now possible to lock some apps on iPhone.

To enable these new features, go to the setting app>screen time>Use screen time passcode (create your passcode that will be used to unlock the applications) then Click on apps limits>Edit list.



The orange and green indicators

Are you scared that face camera is recording you? Well, you don’t need to be scared anymore; a small orange dot next to the battery indicator will appear if your microphone is active, while a green dot will appear if your camera is in use.



Mirror selfies

I don’t know about you, but I used to hate when I took a selfie with my iPhone and the selfie just doesn’t look right because the camera is inverted. But this is not a problem anymore with the mirror selfies! The result is just so much better. Go ahead, try it out!

In order to enable this feature, go to Settings > Camera and turn on Mirror Front Camera.



Stack your widgets

Everyone knows about the new widgets in iOS 14, but did you know you could stack them? To enable this feature, hold your screen and simply drag one widget into another one.

iPad for College?

Choosing a device for college is a big decision, but is there a device being overlooked for the running?

Taking a dive into what it would be like for students or faculty to use an iPad in the college classroom was something that our team was curious about. We have found that Apple's iPad has made some major improvements over the years on capabilities offered and applications to use. Looking deeper into what the new iPad's are offering, we wanted to see if it would be able to meet the needs of day to day college life. 

    Whether it be checking/grading assignments, emailing a colleague or student back, holding a virtual meeting, or presenting power points. We have a handful of the biggest features we found to make having an iPad in college, seem a little more achievable.

Specs 

    The options with the iPad have a lot of different variables that go into play when considering what is needed from the iPad when you are looking at needs. The two anyone should look for would be between the iPad Pro 4th generation or the iPad Air 4th generation.  Both offer just Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and Cellular capabilities, cellular would more than likely make the monthly phone bill rise. With teaching/learning from home, the cellular might be an addition that would aid with Wi-Fi that could have had issues in the past when trying to connect. The iPad Air comes in 3 additional color choices, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue. 

    The iPad Pro comes in either 11 or 13-inch liquid retina display with Pro-motion technology and true tone. Displays while the Air only has options for the 11-inch liquid retina display. Both models are compatible with magic keyboards or smart keyboard folio, as well as the 2nd generation of Apple Pencils. The keyboard would specifically come in handy if you prefer typing on a physical keyboard rather than the display. Storage size varies with the iPad Pro being able to go up to 1 terabyte of storage and the iPad Air having a max capacity of 256 gigabytes. iPad Pro comes in with the double lensed camera with a 12 megapixel and 10-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and the iPad Air has a 12-megapixel wide camera. 

   

    The differences between the two models do not stray away from the same makeup, the iPad Pro having more camera/speaker options, brighter true tone flash, and promotion technology. The specs show that you can't really go wrong with either model, it just comes down to what size and what capabilities will you need. 

Taking it to the Classroom

    Incorporating your new device into the classroom/work setting, knowing what is compatible, what could aid you more, and what the deciding factor is on the decision you have to make. A lot of the needed software or applications that Emporia State uses are able to be downloaded in the app store. If you prefer to use web-based sites rather than the application, adding a shortcut of the website to your home screen is also an option. 

    A lot of the applications or software that students use are also used by faculty. Faculty, the software, or applications you use specifically for the college also have options for those. 

    Some of the apps that are compatible with both models are:

•   Some of the apps that are compatible with both models are:
  
• All Google Suite applications
• Google Drive, Slides, Sheets, Docs, etc. 
• Hornet 365
• Although this is not an application, you can create a shortcut tile for your home screen to take you directly to the website. 
• Canvas
• Input/check grades, respond to student messages, upload lectures, etc.
• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Photoshop, Acrobat, Illustrator, Lightroom, etc.
• Microsoft Office
• Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, Word, etc
• LinkedIn
• Stay connected with students, faculty, or employees promptly and professionally.
• Quizlet
• Creating or reviewing study guides, having review sessions

  Note Taking

    Taking notes is something a lot of college professionals and students have preferences on which way they take notes. Apple has provided different options for users to be able to take notes the way they want to, whether it be written or typed, you have the option for both on either model. The iPad Pro got a new capability to split-screen, and allow you to have more than one app or tab open at once, being able to keep lectures and notes open at the same time. Apple Pencils changed the game when they released the second generation of pencils. Within your notes app or an app of your choice, you can use the pencil to write, highlight, bold, relocate, and much more with your text. The pencil gives you quick options to switch from which type of writing utensil you would want to be used with the click of its side button. 

        Two of the apps that we have seen recommended by students multiple times are Notability and Good Notes. Both of these applications require a purchase to download but come at a very minimal price. Notability is $8 to obtain while Good Notes is $10, if you think about it, that is two Starbucks drinks from the Union to be able to take notes you love in your courses! Notability allows you to download notes, slides, and PDF's to interact and personalize to your preferences. Notability is also compatible across all Apple products as well, allowing you to be able to pick up where you left off on any of your devices.

    Good Notes allows you to import lectures, PDF's, or notes and make them your own separate documents. A cool feature about good notes is being able to copy or scan diagrams within your notes, and being able to pull the graphics from the notes you downloaded or scanned. This could come in handy when wanting to put a diagram in your lecture or pull a graphic from a PowerPoint. These features will all enable you to take the notes that you want to take and make them fit best for your study habits. 

Keyboard

    If you are a person that would prefer to type their notes out rather than write them, you are not alone. Some students have an easier time typing their notes and getting everything the professor is saying. Apple has updated its Apple Keyboard for the release of their new iPad Pro series. With the new features, they added and the thinness of the keyboard while still on the iPad is a good reason to consider for school. It is not as inexpensive to be able to compare it to purchasing a Starbucks drink, more rather an actual piece of technology. The cost of the Apple Keyboard is not an underwhelming cost but just a preferred choice of $200. 

The conclusion we can draw from the searching and research we found would prove that iPads are very capable of being used for college loads. Whether it be for textbook usage, editing, and personalizing your notes, or just finding what you need to be a productive and efficient student in your classes.

As always, thank you for reading and any questions or concerns can be answered by contacting the IT Help Desk.

Stay healthy Hornets!

Dakota Taylor
Social Media Student Assistant
Web & Digital Strategies

 

Never Click and Tell #CyberSecurity

Limiting the information you online could protect you and your privacy.

Phishing, cybercriminals, location services, and more are elements to be concerned with when it comes to cybersecurity.  What are you doing to protect yourself?

 

Many people do not realize that random details, numbers, or even symbols are the only things cybercriminals need to know to target you for an attack. If you become the target of a malicious actor, it may not be totally online as many digital attacks also manifest against you or your family in the physical world. Today, we are going to go over a few of the warning signs you should be looking for and possible precautions you could take to keep yourself safe. 

 

 

Location Services

    Having your location is an easy way for cybercriminals to use that information against you. This can manifest as tagging your home on Facebook, having your location turned on within an application like Snapchat or dating apps, or applications geotagging your posts without your permission. Turning your location services off on your devices or switching to "Allow Only While Using" is the smart and safest option to limit what is disclosed about your location.

 

Passwords

    Awareness about what you post and the discretion used in posting could save you quite the headache if your account gets compromised. Seemingly innocent social media posts about the first dog you had when you were 12 or the street name you lived on as a child—and all common answers to security challenge questions--are an often overlooked pitfall that would allow a hacker to gain access to your password. Make sure your password includes capital letters, numbers, and at least 2 symbols. Most services will require specific elements when you set your password, but if not, it’s up to you to be cybersmart when choosing your password.

 

 

Careful What You Click

    Receiving emails or messages online that you don’t immediately recognize as coming from a trusted and expected source that request you divulge information are usually attempts at maliciously acquiring your personal data. These messages could compromise your online integrity or download viruses to your device to obtain your information in more automated ways. Avoid clicking a link or navigating to a website if it is coming from an individual you do not know or an email address you have not sent or received from previously. 

 

 

Protection in the Real World

    Not “clicking and telling” should be used in the same reference as in-person interactions. Protecting your passwords or security question answers in person is just as important in the real word as it is online.  Avoid verbally sharing personal information or account credentials to protect you both in person and online. 

 

There are many ways hackers or cybercriminals can obtain your information through your internet presence. Creating an environment to protect yourself could save you a lot of time and a lot of worries. And your actions could not only impact you, but your friends, family, and employer as well.

 

As always if there are any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to reach out to the IT Help Desk or Information Security.

 

Stay healthy Hornets!

 

Dakota Taylor
Social Media Student Assistant
Web & Digital Strategies