Computer Chronicles
Version 11.3, December 2022
Highlights
Please be sure to shut off your computers, Chromebases, Chromebooks, projectors, document cameras, monitors and any other electronic devices before you head out on the Holiday Break.
This is especially important this year with the approaching storm and freezing temps. Power outages are sure to occur.
I hope you all have a restful break.
Vice Society: Profiling a Persistent Threat to the Education Sector
Vice Society is a ransomware gang that has been involved in high-profile activity against schools this year.
In September 2022, a joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) from the FBI, CISA and the MS-ISAC declared they had recently observed Vice Society actors disproportionately targeting the education sector with ransomware attacks. The CSA continued that attacks could increase as the 2022-23 school year begins and criminal ransomware groups perceive opportunities for successful attacks.
Vice Society is notorious for targeting the education sector – K-12. Please continue to be vigilant with your emails. Don't be a victim! You can prevent phishing success and
limit its negative impacts, should initial access occur.
"Think before you click!"
New Tech on the Holidays
You may be tempted to plug in your new device and start to use it right away. Be sure to take a few minutes to configure security settings before you get started.
Change Default Passwords. Some devices are configured with default passwords to simplify setup. If the password is not changed, these passwords are well-known and can give attackers full access to your device. Use strong and unique passwords for all your devices.
Secure Accounts. Some personal devices such as gaming consoles require you to establish an account and maintain a subscription to access services. Pay close attention to the information being collected about you and the data that is visible to others. For gaming accounts, the default option may be to share the games that you play, when you are online, the number of hours played, and your contacts list to anyone who is subscribed to the same service. Change your privacy settings to only share data with people that you trust.
Holiday Housekeeping
Just a few reminders:
If you aren't using your LCD projector, please turn it off. You'll extend the life of the lamp if you simply turn it off during periods you don't use it.
Please be sure to shut off your computers, Chromebases, Chromebooks, projectors, document cameras, monitors and any other electronic devices before you leave for the day.
Please put in a help desk ticket for anything you need help with. If you don't report it, I can't fix it.
When submitting a help desk ticket, be sure to include the Inventory Number on every request. It is a 6-digit number with a barcode on a B&W label under the title "South Amboy Board of Education". This will speed up your request.
Pro Tech Tip
Use “Before” in Google Search
”Before” will return results for your keyword before a certain date.
For example, Elon Musk before:2021 will only return articles published on Elon Musk before 2021.
Magni Momenti Notitia
- When submitting a help desk ticket, be sure to include the Inventory Number on every request. It is a 6-digit number with a barcode on a B&W label under the title "South Amboy Board of Education". This will speed up your request.
- "Think before you click."
- Got a tech problem? Please submit a help desk ticket here. Be sure to use the Google button to login.
- Visit the Information Technology page on the district website for the latest news.
- Why do bees stay in their hive all winter? Swarm.
Stuff I have been reading/watching:
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
- Henry David Thoreau
Conceived, written and produced by
Michael Elson 💻
District Technology Coordinator
Join Technology Updates on Remind: https://www.remind.com/join/elson or text @elson to the number 81010
Email: melson@sapublicschools.com
Website: http://www.sapublicschools.com/departments/information_technology
Phone: (732) 525-2100
Twitter: @sapublicschool1