Information Technology Services

Archives: Bulletins

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Open Enrollment for Students

Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), is now available for all students – learn more and enroll at 2fa.gmu.edu today to protect your information.

 

 

 

Like salt and pepper or popcorn and a soda, 2FA and your Patriot Pass Password are #Better2gether.

Note: Blackboard/myMason and MasonLive student email are currently not 2FA enabled.

Benefits of 2FA with Duo Mobile

  • Protect Mason websites and applications containing student information
  • Choose from multiple authentication options (Duo Push is recommended)
  • Select “Remember for 7 days” to limit how often you authenticate on your devices
  • Use the Duo Mobile App to protect your other personal accounts like Google, Amazon, and social media (https://guide.duo.com/third-party-accounts)

How to Prepare

  • Be proactive about your security! Enroll in 2FA at 2fa.gmu.edu today

Install the Duo Mobile App from your smart phone’s App Store

Assistance is Available

Information is available in the ITS knowledge base.

If you need additional details or assistance, please contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or via email at [email protected].

Changes to Adobe Login

Information Technology Services (ITS) is simplifying the login experience for users of Mason’s enterprise Adobe applications. On Wednesday, July 29, from 7 to 8 a.m., ITS will be performing maintenance to add Mason Single Sign-On (SSO) to Adobe. Currently, as a user of Mason-provided Adobe applications, you log in with an enterprise Adobe ID and password, which are linked to your Mason email address. Following this change, you will access Adobe applications using your Mason NetID and Patriot Pass Password.

Impact on users: During the maintenance window, you may be unable to log in to Adobe applications. After the maintenance, you will log in via Mason’s ADFS SSO login page (the same page when logging in to Office 365) when accessing Adobe tools. Users who are currently enrolled in Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for Office 365 may be prompted to authenticate.

If you have questions, please contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or [email protected].

New Antivirus for Mason-Managed Computers

On Thursday, July 9, Information Technology Services (ITS) deployed a new antivirus and a new protection tool for Mason-managed computers to provide increased safety and online security to Mason computer users.

ITS is transitioning to Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), an improved antivirus solution, to continue to protect Manson-owned computers. Devices managed in MESA and Jamf are transitioning from Symantec Endpoint Protection antivirus.

Devices will receive Cisco Umbrella, a protection tool that directs users away from potentially malicious websites. Umbrella evaluates websites to determine if they are malicious. If it detects a site is malicious, Umbrella blocks the link and advises the user.

Toolbar icons show users Defender and Umbrella are operating on their machines.

These efforts are designed to help decrease phishing and to protect users from potentially malicious websites. Obtaining these services will require minimal action on your part.

  • Managed Windows Devices (off-campus): Log in to the Virtual Private Network (VPN) for three hours to allow the software to be activated.
  • Managed Windows Devices (on-campus): No action is required. Your device will receive the software automatically.
  • Managed Mac Devices: No action is required. Your device will receive the software automatically.

Unmanaged Mason-owned systems will need to be managed to receive the  antivirus  protection and Umbrella. To request to have a Mason-owned device managed, please COMPLETE THIS FORM.

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or  [email protected].

ITS Reminders for Computing Remotely

As the Mason community continues to work and learn remotely, Information Technology Services (ITS) has the following reminders for users of Mason-managed computers to ensure a smooth computing experience:

Reset Your Password Every 180 Days
You are required to reset your Patriot Pass Password every 180 days. ITS sends daily emails to users 14 days before passwords expire. Be alert for these messages and reset your password before it expires to avoid disrupting access to Patriot Web, employee email, Blackboard, etc.

Sync Your Mason-Managed Computer After Resetting Your Password

  • Windows users: If you are working remotely and reset your password, you must connect to the Virtual Private Network (VPN) to sync your new password and complete the reset process.
  • Mac users: Most Mac users do not require additional steps to sync their computer after resetting their password.
  • Additional details and instructions for syncing your computer are available at How to Sync Your Computer After Resetting Your Password

Keep Your Computer Up-to-Date
Users on Mason-managed computers should routinely connect to the VPN to ensure that you receive timely software updates.

Contact the ITS Support Center
The ITS Support Center is available to assist with password resets and other computing issues, including hardware support, at 703-993-8870 or [email protected] during the following times:

  • Monday thru Thursday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Sunday: 1 to 9 p.m.
    (The Support Center is closed Thursdays from 3 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays)

If you have any questions, please contact the ITS Support Center at 703-993-8870 or [email protected].

ITS Support Center Independence Day Weekend Hours

In observance of Independence Day, the ITS Support Center will close at 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, and will re-open and resume normal business hours on Monday, July 6 at 8:00 a.m. If you have an emergency while the ITS Support Center is closed, please call 703-993-8870 and listen to the prompts to be connected to a representative. Up-to-date information regarding alerts can be found at https://its.gmu.edu/alerts/.