HTTP stands for HyperText Transport Protocol, which is just a fancy way of saying it's a protocol (a language, in a manner of speaking) for information to be passed back and forth between web servers and clients.  The important thing is the letter S which makes the difference between HTTP and HTTPS.

The S (big surprise) stands for "Secure".  If you visit a website or webpage, and look at the address in the web browser, it will likely begin with the following:  http://.

This means that the website is talking to your browser using the regular "unsecure" language.  In other words, it is possible for someone to "eavesdrop" on your computer's conversation with the website.  If you fill out a form on the website, someone might see the information you send to that site.

This is why you never enter your credit card number in any http website!  But if the web address begins with https://, that basically means your computer is talking to the website in a secure code that no one can eavesdrop on.

You understand why this is so important, right?

If a website ever asks you to enter your credit card information, you should automatically look to see if the web address begins with https://.  If it doesn't, there's no way you're going to enter sensitive information like a credit card number. 

PASS IT ON ( you may save someone a lot of grief).

From snopes.com, January 2009

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Tragic baseball player John C Odom became known to millions across America when he was traded for ten maple bats, before his death from an accidental overdose last year. Now heartless hackers have set up a website pretending to be a Google News search result about Odom's death, installing malicious software onto your computer. Discover more about the threat now.
http://www.sophos.com/blogs/gc/g/2009/03/06/hackers-disguise-malware

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February Spam Stats

Go to the Phone Guide Live Webpage, type in your extension and your name and a picture of a phone like yours will appear.  Click on the word next to each button and a video or description will appear.  
Go to PhoneGuide Live

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Go to Phone Guide Live.  On this webpage, type in your extension and name and  a picture of a phone will appear.  On the left hand side of the screen, you will see a Phones section click on the Features area and all of the features available to some phones are listed.  Click on each feature and instructions will appear on how to use that feature.

Go to the Go to PhoneGuide Live Webpage.  Type in your extension and name and  a picture of a phone will appear.  On the left hand side of the screen, you will see a Phone Mail section click on the Features area and all of the features available are listed.  Click on each feature and instructions will appear on how to use that feature.

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If you've ever accidently deleted a file and then subsequently emptied your desktop Recycle Bin, it would require the intervention of UCT staff to get that document back.  Retrieving a file from backup is a task that sometimes isn't quick. 

UCT is pleased to bring to your desktop a new tool that will let you retrieve your own deleted files from backup with just a few mouse clicks.   Over the course of the summer, all desktop PCs will be receiving Symantec's Backup Exec Desktop Agent.  Some refer to it as DLO which stands for Destkop Laptop Option.  When installed, it's icon will appear in the lower right of your computer screen and looks like a desktop and a laptop--so hence the acronym-DLO.

A quick click of the icon will get you to the DLO screen where you can look at the history of your backups.  Although UCT expects it to work like clockwork, it's always a good idea to periodically peruse the history of your backups just to make sure that all is working correctly and your data is successfully being backed up. 

Documentation will be provided when your PC gets this cool new tool installed.  The last page of this document will be what you'll find most helpful. Even if you don't read the document when you get it, you'll want to become familiar with this last page.  It'll give you step by step instructions on how to retrieve a file from backup that you accidently deleted. 

This information is just to keep you in the loop of what's coming up this Summer.  More information about when your PC will get DLO installed will be coming up later.  Your Computer Coordinator and the Support Center staff will be glad to answer any questions you have about DLO. 

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Yes!  All UHCL desktop PCs above tag number 35760 will be upgraded to the current Windows operating system--Vista over the course of the next several months. 

The upgrade process will be personalized to make sure the move to Vista is as smooth as possible.  The following steps will be taken during the Vista/DLO migration:

• An appointment for an interview will be setup with you and your Computer Coordinator.  The interview is to ensure that there will be no surprises when your machine is returned to you. 
• At the time of the interview UCT will be making an appointment so we can pick up your machine to perform the upgrade process. 
• After your machine is returned, a short training session on Vista and DLO will be provided at your desk.
• Within a week of delivery a follow-up interview will be scheduled to ensure your machine is performing correctly.

UCT staff will work with you to coordinate the work with your schedule so we don’t interfere with any important dates on your calendar.  More information on the upgrade to Vista will be coming up soon!

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