Technology News & Updates, Week of December 2, 2024

Duo helps protect your account and personal data. Check out these tips—just in time for the holidays!

Stay vigilant!

If you suspect your account has been compromised—especially if you receive an unexpected Duo push—change your password immediately. Always remember: NEVER accept an unexpected Duo push.

Using a new phone?

Phones are popular Christmas gifts. If, and when, you acquire a new phone, you'll need to update your Duo account:

• How to update your Duo account with a new cell phone
• How to remove a device from your Duo account

Traveling to another country?

You can still use Duo, even internationally!

Have questions? 

Check the IT Knowledge Base for answers! This self-service hub is packed with helpful articles, guides, and tips tailored to meet the needs of KSU students, faculty, and staff.

Need assistance with Duo—or other IT at KSU?

The KSU IT Service Desk is here for you!

KSU passwords expire annually. When it's time to update your KSU password, you can change it here. 

All NetID accessible services will be unavailable if the password is not updated by the expiration date.

Follow these instructions for instructions to update passwords on devices.

How to create a strong password

Scrappy shares his hoot-worthy password tips! Learn how to create strong passwords and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals:

• Keep it complex, kiddo! (KICK!) Scrappy likes to add some KICK to his passwords by incorporating a mix of numbers, special characters, and uppercase and lowercase letters. He avoids simple or guessable patterns like "password1234."
• Uniqueness matters: Scrappy has a different password for each account.
• Length is strength: Even though Scrappy has only 4 fingers on each hand, he makes sure to count one hand again when counting how many characters his password has. He knows it should include at least 12 characters.
• Phrases may outperform words: Scrappy likes to use the phrase from his bucket list "Complete 63 Before Your Degree!" to construct a password. Consider using memorable phrases or short sentences as passwords. 

The Respondus LockDown Browser is a secure browser designed to prevent cheating on online exams. When you take an exam using LockDown Browser, you won't be able to access other websites, applications, or files on your computer.

Tips for a smooth exam experience:

• Install the LockDown Browser in advance: Make sure you download and install it well before your exam.
• Test it out: Take a practice exam to familiarize yourself with the browser's features and limitations.
• Prepare your environment: Find a quiet, well-lit space with a reliable internet connection.
• Close unnecessary programs: Exit all other applications to avoid potential conflicts.
• Follow instructions carefully: Pay attention to your instructor's guidelines for using the LockDown Browser.
• Be patient: Technical difficulties can arise. If you encounter any issues, contact your instructor immediately.

Read about How to access LockDown Browser in the IT Knowledge Base.

Need assistance? University Information Technology Services (UITS) is here for you! For any questions or technical support, please reach out to the KSU IT Service Desk.

Stay cyber-smart this holiday season!

• Watch out for online scams and phishing emails promoting deals that seem too good to be true.
• Keep your financial information safe by shopping on trusted websites.
• Use secure payment methods like credit cards or digital wallets.