Alerts - Coastal Carolina University

Information Security

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_{Dec. 8, 2023: Notice of eduroam Wireless Certificate Renewal on Dec. 18, 2023 - action may be required »
Dec. 5, 2023: Adobe Acrobat licensing messages and recommendations »
Sept. 25, 2023: Fraudulent Email Reminder »
Sept. 20, 2023: Microsoft will prompt CCU user accounts to install a stronger form of multifactor authentication »
Aug. 10, 2023: Discontinuation of Adobe Creative Cloud Synced Files »
Aug. 9, 2023: The new Microsoft Teams experience to preview »
May 8, 2023: TikTok Notice »
April 13, 2023: Fraudulent Text and Email Alert! »
Feb. 23, 2023: Campus Wireless Upgrade »
Dec. 9, 2022: Notice of Eduroam Wi-Fi Annual Certificate Renewal: Dec. 16, 2022 »
Dec. 5, 2022: CCU Security Reminders - Do Not Share Your CCU Log In Info »
Nov. 4, 2022: Fraudulent Email Alert »
Aug. 31, 2022: Fraudulent Email Alert »
May 20, 2022: Former Student Account Deletion Notice Sent »
May 19, 2022: Microsoft retires the Internet Explorer 11 browser on June 15, 2022 »
Feb. 8, 2022: Major internet outage in the upstate - CCU not affected »
Jan. 7, 2022: Reminder for all eduroam WiFi users on the Main Campus »
Jan. 6. 2022: Reminder - Fraudulent Emails, Texts related to COVID-19 »
Alerts Archive »}

Notice of eduroam Wireless Certificate Renewal on Dec. 18, 2023 - action may be required

Link to notice »

^{Posted Dec. 7-8, 2023}
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Adobe Acrobat licensing messages and recommendations

CCU users may encounter licensing messages when using Adobe Acrobat. ITS is currently collaborating with Adobe to investigate and address this issue.

A workaround is available for faculty and staff who experience a “Sign in Required” screen, as displayed below. Click the "Sign In" or “Sign In Now” button and sign in using your CCU credentials.

A screenshot of the Adobe Acrobat Sign In Error screen

For those who receive a license expiration message, similar to the screen displayed below, follow these steps: fully close out of Adobe Acrobat, reopen the program, and look for a sign-in option at the top of the Adobe Acrobat program. Click on the sign-in option and enter your CCU credentials.

A screenshot of the Adobe Acrobat license expiration screen

If you have any further questions or need assistance, please reach out to the ITS Service Center by calling 843-349-5000 or submitting an ITS Online Services Request.

^{Posted Dec. 5, 2023}
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Fraudulent Email Reminder

CCU’s Office of Information Technology Services reminds students, faculty, and staff to be aware of fraudulent email messages. Be suspicious of any unsolicited email and attempt to verify that it is from a trusted source. Do not open emails, download attachments, or access documents that you did not request to receive.

Please take the time to closely examine any unsolicited emails as they likely include various signs of a scam. If you receive an email that you suspect is fraudulent, please delete the email immediately. If necessary, check with ITS at 843-349-5000 (faculty and staff) or ITS-Student Computing Services (SCS) at 843-349-2220 (students) to verify and/or report fraudulent emails.

^{Posted Sept. 25, 2023}
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Microsoft will prompt CCU user accounts to install a stronger form of multifactor authentication

The following message was communicated by email to CCU users who use SMS Text Messaging or phone calls for their preferred method of Multifactor Authentication (MFA).

Microsoft is discontinuing these two MFA methods for authentication (the process of verifying logins to CCU applications). Users may continue to use their SMS or phone methods for self-service password resets. Microsoft began a six-week transition window on Sept. 15, 2023, to give users time to install and begin using the Microsoft Authenticator app on their mobile devices for MFA. Microsoft will begin prompting users who use SMS Text Messaging and voice methods for MFA to set up the Microsoft Authenticator app. This change will take place on a rolling basis over six weeks as part of ongoing efforts to improve security.

What to expect:

CCU users who are currently using SMS Text Messaging or phone calls for authentication will need to set up the Microsoft Authenticator app on their mobile devices.

When users sign into your work or school account, they’ll see a prompt to set up the Authenticator app — users can choose to install it or skip the prompt. Users can skip up to three times before they’re required to install it.
To install it, they’ll need to select Next on the prompt, which will take them through the Authenticator app setup.

To set up the Authenticator app now:

Visit https://www.coastal.edu/sspr to be redirected to your Microsoft sign-in/security methods page. Then, add the Authenticator app option to your account. For an instructional guide, visit the Microsoft Authenticator App Instructions.

Users who do not have a smart device/mobile device to use for the Authenticator app can submit an online service request for help and guidance on alternative solutions. Students or alumni should submit a request to Student Computing Services and faculty and staff can submit a request to the ITS Service Center for guidance.

For support or help, faculty and staff should contact Information Technology Services by calling 843-349-5000 or submitting an ITS Online Services Request. Students should contact Student Computing Services by calling 843-349-2220, texting 843-733-7234, or submitting an SCS Online Help Request.

_{Emailed on Sept. 20, 2023}
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Discontinuation of Adobe Creative Cloud Synced Files

Please review the important announcement below regarding Adobe’s discontinuation of Creative Cloud Synced Files. If you do not use Creative Cloud Synced Files, you will not be affected.

If you are unsure whether your Adobe assets are impacted, check to see if you have Creative Cloud Synced Files online here: https://assets.adobe.com/files. If you have synced files, continue reading below for more information and recommended actions.

Starting Feb. 1, 2024

Users will no longer be able to share files or folders from Creative Cloud Synced Files with users outside of CCU. Synced file sharing between CCU users will continue to work until Oct. 1, 2024.

Starting Oct. 1, 2024

Adobe will begin discontinuing the Creative Cloud content synchronization process and synced file/folder sharing as well as permanently removing the cloud-based copies of files for users at the enterprise level (CCU users).

Key points:

Assets in the local Creative Cloud Files folder on the user’s local devices will no longer be synchronized with Creative Cloud storage.
Assets will remain in the local Creative Cloud Files folder on a user’s local device.
Shared assets and folders from Creative Cloud Synced Files will no longer be accessible to others.
Creative Cloud apps will continue supporting file-based workflows on a user’s local device, allowing users to choose where to store and manage their files locally.

It is recommended that you safely store and back up your synced file assets through a CCU cloud storage provider, such as Microsoft OneDrive or another backup storage location of choice. Access additional information and instructions here.

To read the official statement from Adobe, access the Adobe synched files discontinuation notice.

_{Emailed to CCU Adobe Creative Cloud Users on Aug. 10, 2023}
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The new Microsoft Teams experience is available to preview beginning Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023

Microsoft has released a new Microsoft Teams experience for CCU users to preview on Windows computers. CCU users can try the new Teams experience as early adopters beginning Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 (the estimated official release is in mid-September 2023). On Thursday, Aug. 10, ITS will release the Try the new Teams toggle option in the upper left corner of Teams. Click on this toggle option to get started with using the new Teams.

If you do not want the new Teams experience after switching, you can toggle back to return to the classic Teams experience during the preview period.

To learn more of the benefits and features of the new Teams experience and access additional instructions, visit coastal.edu/office365/teams/upgrade.

_{Emailed Aug. 9, 2023}
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TikTok Notice

During the Coastal Carolina University board of trustees meeting on May 4, 2023, “it was announced that the University will block access to TikTok on CCU’s wired and Wi-Fi networks campuswide. The move is designed to keep the University’s network safe and secure and takes into consideration the safety and privacy of CCU’s students, faculty, and staff. It also complies with Gov. Henry McMaster’s directive to all state agencies to block access to this social media platform.”

TikTok is now blocked from CCU wired and Wi-Fi networks campuswide effective immediately. Users may still access TikTok from their own personal devices using a mobile data connection (turn off Wi-Fi).

^{Emailed May 8, 2023}
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Fraudulent Text and Email Alert

Notice of Recent Fraudulent Messages: Do not respond to phishing texts or emails. Keep your information and account secure – please disregard suspicious messages.

CCU’s Office of Information Technology Services reminds students, faculty and staff to be aware of fraudulent text and email messages. Be suspicious of any unsolicited texts or email and attempt to verify that it is from a trusted source.

We urge all students to avoid opening suspicious and unsolicited texts or emails, downloading unknown attachments, or accessing documents that they did not request or anticipate receiving. Please do not provide your information to an unknown sender. CCU will never tell you that we are shutting down your email by text or in an email and request your personal information or verification codes. CCU will never ask you for your email verification codes. CCU does not send job offer solicitations through text or email either.

Please take the time to closely examine any unsolicited texts and emails as they likely include various signs of a scam. If you receive a text or email that you did not anticipate receiving or suspect is fraudulent, please delete it immediately. If necessary, check with ITS at 843-349-5000 (faculty and staff) or ITS-Student Computing Services (SCS) at 843-349-2220 (students) to verify and/or report fraudulent texts or emails.

^{Posted April 13, 2023}
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Campus Wireless Upgrade

CCU recognizes that every year, faculty, staff, and students are bringing more devices to campus. The extra devices are vying for access to the campus wireless network. CCU’s administration supports taking strategic steps toward wireless infrastructure improvements. ITS is excited to receive support and funding from the administration to perform a campuswide wireless upgrade.

View the Implementation Schedule* here »

*The implementation schedule is subject to change. During the upgrade, users in the area who are using their wireless connection may experience a 20-60 second interruption.

^{Posted Feb. 23, 2023}
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Notice of Eduroam Wi-Fi Annual Certificate Renewal: Dec. 16, 2022

CCU’s eduroam wireless service uses a digital certificate (safeconnect.coastal.edu) for secure user authentication. The digital certificate is renewed annually. ITS renewed the certificate on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, at 7 a.m.

Action may be required to ensure you maintain a successful wireless connection on the main campus:

Link to Annual Notice and Recommended Actions »

^{Sent via Email/Posted Dec. 9 & 15, 2022, and Jan. 6 & 13, 2023}
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CCU Security Reminders - Do Not Share Your CCU Log In Info

Coastal Carolina University’s Information Technology Services (or any other CCU office) will never ask you for your CCU password or send you a form to fill out to send your password or other sensitive information. ITS will never ask you to verify your CCU account by sharing your password.

Do not share your CCU username and password with anyone. If you have sent your CCU password to anyone or if you have completed an online form that requested your password and other information, such as all the colleges and universities you have attended, contact SCS/ITS or reset your password as soon as possible using the CCU password reset page below.

https://password.coastal.edu

Students:
ITS-Student Computing Services
Call 843-349-2220
Text 843-733-7234
Online Service Request

Faculty and Staff:
ITS Service Center
843-349-5000
Online Service Request

^{Posted Dec. 5, 2022}
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Fraudulent Email Alert

CCU’s Office of Information Technology Services reminds students, faculty and staff to be aware of fraudulent email messages. Be suspicious of any unsolicited email and attempt to verify that it is from a trusted source. Do not open emails, download attachments, or access links or documents that you did not request to receive or anticipate. Please do not provide your information to an unknown sender.

_{Posted Aug. 31, 2022, and Nov. 4, 2022}
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Former Student Account Deletion Notice Sent

Former CCU students are not eligible for CCU account services. On May 20, 2022, these users were sent an email notice for account deletion in 30 days. After the 30-day period, the former CCU account is deleted. Once an account is deleted, the information, emails, and files that were in the account cannot be restored.

Only current students can use CCU account services. A current student is a student who is currently enrolled and registered for classes at CCU. CCU account services include the use of a CCU account, Office 365 Outlook email, and other Microsoft Office 365 application services.

_{Posted May 20, 2022}
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Microsoft retires the Internet Explorer 11 browser on June 15, 2022

Starting June 15, 2022, the Internet Explorer 11 desktop application/browser will be retired and no longer supported on Windows 10 operating systems.

Some sites or applications are only built to work with Internet Explorer and have functionality that is not yet supported by modern browsers such as Microsoft Edge. So, if you need to view one of these sites or applications, you can use Internet Explorer Mode in Microsoft Edge. IE mode in Microsoft Edge enables backward compatibility and will be supported through at least 2029. Additionally, Microsoft will provide notice one year before retiring IE mode.

Most sites work better on modern browsers. For better speed and security, we recommend only using Internet Explorer mode when necessary. For more information, see learn more about Microsoft Edge.

_{Posted May 19, 2022}
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Major Internet Outage in the Upstate - CCU not affected

CCU is not experiencing telephone or internet outage issues. However, ITS would like to bring to your attention some issues that Greenville, SC is experiencing. Currently, there is a major fiber optic line cut in this area as referenced in the article below. Please note that this issue could affect communication traveling to and from that area of the state.

Greenville County Schools District Internet Outage Monday

_{Posted Feb. 8, 2022
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Reminder for all eduroam WiFi users on the Main Campus

For returning students, faculty, and staff

CCU’s eduroam wireless service uses a digital certificate (safeconnect.coastal.edu) for secure user authentication. This certificate renews every year and was recently renewed on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021.

Your device may prompt you to accept the new wireless certificate to safeconnect.coastal.edu. The process for verifying and accepting the new certificate varies by device and the operating system installed on the device. ITS and SCS are available if you have questions about the validity of the certificate or how to accept it successfully on your device(s).

What does this prompt mean? Should I accept it? You should always understand what a prompt on your devices is asking you to do before accepting. In this case, by accepting the certificate, you are renewing part of the credentials that keep you secure and connected to eduroam.

If you receive a prompt on your connected devices asking you to verify and accept the safeconnect.coastal.edu certificate for eduroam wireless, please verify and accept the certificate to continue a secure connection to the internet at CCU.

If your device does not prompt you to accept the new certificate and is no longer connected to eduroam wireless, please forget and re-connect to eduroam on your device. Visit the eduroam support sites for Students or Faculty and Staff to reconnect to eduroam, if needed.

For new students, faculty, and staff

eduroam is the wireless signal available for all students, faculty, and staff at CCU on the main campus. Visit the eduroam support sites for Students or Faculty and Staff for instructions on how to connect to eduroam WiFi on the main campus and support information.

For support or help, faculty and staff can contact ITS by calling 843-349-5000 or accessing the ITS Online Service Center and students should contact Student Computing Services by calling 843-349-2220, texting 843-733-7234, or submitting an SCS Online Help Request.

_{Posted Jan. 7, 2022
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Reminder - Fraudulent Emails and Texts related to COVID-19

COVID-19 and its associated variants (Delta, Omicron, etc.) are topics that are heavily used by bad actors in phishing emails. If a user opens phishing email attachments, the attachment may distribute malware and cause security issues for the user and CCU.

Be suspicious of any unsolicited email and texts and attempt to verify that it is from a trusted source. Please take the time to closely examine any unsolicited messages as they likely include various signs of a scam. If you receive an email or text that you suspect is fraudulent, please delete the message immediately. If necessary, check with ITS at 843-349-5000 (faculty and staff) or ITS-Student Computing Services (SCS) at 843-349-2220 (students) to verify and/or report fraudulent messages.

_{Posted Jan. 6, 2022
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