CCIT This Week: AI Research Symposium, and prepare for next semester in Canvas with Clemson Online

Tara Stone, CCIT Communications
April 22, 2024

Welcome to CCIT This Week, where we give you a rundown of news, tips, upcoming maintenance and more. This page will be updated throughout the week. Follow us on Twitter @ClemsonIT for daily information and timely updates.

News

Cybersecurity Alert: Apple device users may see an increase in fraudulent authentication attempts. Similar to how Clemson uses DUO to verify a person’s identity, before someone’s Apple ID can be reset, a user’s phone receives a prompt asking for verification for the reset. In this new scam, Apple device users may experience a bombardment of up to 100 prompt notifications asking them to approve or deny a password reset on their Apple ID. These requests are fraudulent and if approved, cybercriminals can change the Apple account password and lock users out.

Learn more about this Apple scam

Changes to Clemson email quarantine. The quarantine function is part of the University’s security toolset providing proactive, immediate security for the more than 2,600 phishing and scam attempts the University receives by email each month. Beginning on Monday, February 26, 2024, faculty, staff, and students who receive email notifications about a “high confidence” phishing email that has been quarantined will be required to take an extra step if they would like to release that email back into their inboxes.

Learn more about the change to quarantine procedure

Important change for Box storage external collaborators. On Monday, February 19, 2024, an added layer of password protection was implemented to the Clemson Box storage service to help heighten the security of Clemson University documentation. Clemson users can continue using Box as usual without impact; however, they should be aware that this change will affect external users who have been given permission to collaborate within our Box environment.

Learn more about the changes to Box storage

Security shares helpful guidelines and resources for AI use. Clemson University students, researchers, employees and community members may be using the generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools readily available today. ChatGPT, and other AI resources, can offer exciting new opportunities for efficiency in data processing, idea generation for projects, or even programming. As we continue looking at privacy and information security when using AI tools, the Office of Information Security is urging the Clemson community to visit the University’s AI Guidelines page and to remember to use best practices.

Staff members report receiving retirement planning emails. Many Clemson University employees recently received an email offering retirement planning sessions. These emails encourage recipients to follow a link and sign up for a session to help plan their retirement. Clemson Human Resources has verified that this is not a legitimate email from the SC Benefits program, which handles our state retirements.

Learn more about these emails

Stay alert for messaging app scams! Messaging apps, like WhatsApp, are being used by cybercriminals to target potential victims in cryptocurrency scams. The Clemson University campus community is encouraged to practice due diligence and not engage with messages from unknown or unexpected contacts.

Learn more about messaging app scams

Events

CCIT will co-host the Clemson AI Research Symposium on Friday, April 26! This Symposium is an opportunity for researchers from different disciplines to share their research and insights on artificial intelligence and its applications. Parallel sessions and plenary talks will cover diverse topics within AI and machine learning. This event is brought to you by AIRISE, Watt AI, and CCIT Research Computing and Data.

Learn more and register for the Symposium

Use Canvas tools to prepare for next semester! Join Clemson Online on Wednesday, April 24 at 1:30 p.m. to learn about importing Canvas content and planning next semester’s courses with learning objectives in mind. When you register for this workshop, you may select from a range of additional topics you would like covered and/or enter any specific questions.

Learn more and register at the Clemson Online website

April Tech Tip

Use a VPN to stay safe and connected when you are off campus! A VPN provides secure access to Clemson’s network when you are off campus, giving you access to important tools like iROAR. You can also connect to our VPN to stay safe from predators when sharing private information (like your username and password or credit card information) on public, unsecured Wi-Fi.

Get started with Clemson’s VPN