All Stories

man looking concerned about phishing

Recently, the service desk in Information Technology Services has reported an increase in gift card email phishing scams. Its staff warns recipients to be vigilant to the possibility that an email is not legitimate.

To reduce the potential of getting phished, IT Services recommends being on alert for the following clues:

  • Unexpected or sensational: The request is unusual or contains a “too good to be true” offer, such as the promise of a high value gift.
  • Urgency: It emphasizes the risk of missing the gift card opportunity, insisting on quick action.
  • Inconsistencies: The email address may have a similar name to the offer, or the message contains spelling and grammar errors, odd formatting, or inaccuracies in the signature.
  • Snare or pitfall: If the “claim your offer” link takes you to a web page that asks you to log in, it’s a trap. Or if the message tells you to open the attachment for the gift card, it will be a malicious file that could infect your computer.

How can I avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam?

  1. Call the sender to verify. If there's any doubt at all, make a call.
  2. If you’re on a mobile device, use a computer to check the message more carefully.
  3. Do not reply or act on unusual or out of character emails. Question urgency.
  4. Do not open email attachments or click links to claim a prize. Hover your mouse over the link to reveal the real destination address.

Find more details about spotting online phishing scams on the IT Services website. As always, report a phishing scam or spam email by forwarding the message as an attachment to spam@uwindsor.ca or contact the IT Service Desk at 519-253-3000, ext. 4440.

UWinsite Student

The update to UWinsite Student, the University’s student information platform, is now complete. The latest security-related features, functionality, and fixes were implemented while bringing a few enhancements.

“The changes are mostly to the back end of the system while positioning it to better address issues as they arise,” says acting registrar Lorraine Grondin. “Most users may notice only slight changes to the icons. There is new feature for students: Enrolment Appointments, which makes it easier to find registration times.”

The UWinsite Student Update team was made up of members from the offices of the Registrar, Student Awards and Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Information Technology Services.

“We are thankful to the collaborative group who made the update such a success. We are also grateful to our campus partners for their input on the project and patience when UWinsite Student was unavailable,” says John Osborne, assistant director for business solutions and systems in IT Services.

A drop-in session with a short presentation for faculty and staff to learn more about the recent update is scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 1. The session will cover the minor changes to the system, the UWinsite Student Resources available online, and clarification on the “Enrolment by My Requirements” function. A registration form is available online and the presentation will be recorded for those who would like to review it later.

If you have any questions related to the UWinsite Student Project, email uwinsite@uwindsor.ca. To report an issue with UWinsite Student, open a ticket and it will be routed to the right area for help.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 tablet computer

Information Technology Services reminds the campus community to complete the Cybersecurity Learning Modules and Self-Assessment for a chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 tablet.

To be eligible for the prize draw, all you need to do is complete the self-assessment by 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 28. One winner selected in a random draw will be contacted by email in the days following.

UWinsite Student will be unavailable starting 6 p.m. Nov. 18, 2021

The scheduled update to UWinsite Student will cause the system to be unavailable 6 p.m. tonight to Monday evening, Nov. 22.

The offices of the Registrar, Student Accounts, Student Awards and Financial Aid will be closed during this time.

The uwindsor.ca/uwinsite/all-news web page will have the latest information on the project.

If you have any questions related to the UWinsite Student Project, email uwinsite@uwindsor.ca.

UWinsite Student Update

The scheduled update to UWinsite Student will cause the system to be unavailable from 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, to Monday evening, Nov. 22.

Students can expect to continue using Blackboard Learn while UWinsite Student is offline. Other campus systems will be minimally affected during the update. Anyone who needs a transcript prior to Nov. 23 should submit a request by Tuesday, Nov. 16.

The uwindsor.ca/uwinsite/all-news web page will have the latest information on the project.

If you have any questions related to the UWinsite Student Project, email uwinsite@uwindsor.ca. If anyone is experiencing an issue with a UWinsite Student, open a ticket and it will be routed to the right area for help.