SCARE TACTIC: "Your computer is infected!"
Have you ever received a pop-up entitled "Your computer is infected!"? The McAfee anti-virus used by IOT will NOT give this type of notification of a virus. Since McAfee is the only approved antivirus solution to be used on state owned PCs, do not be fooled by this scare tactic. These pop-up messages are used to redirect the user to a rogue anti-spyware site to get you to buy their product or download malware disguised as antivirus. If you receive this or a similar message, you should:
- Note the website(s) that were currently or recently visited.
- NEVER click inside the pop-up even if there is an exit button.
- Click on the 'X' to close the window.
- If there is no 'X', find the pop-up in the task bar; right click on the task bar and select 'Close'.
- If you have received this type of pop-up, refrain from visiting sites that require personal authentication.
If IOT has detected an active virus, you will be notified as to what steps should be taken. The McAfee antivirus checks for updates every three hours and updates state owned PCs as needed.
Behind the Scenes at IOT
Have you ever wondered what's coming up in the near future? IOT wants you to be in the know. Of course, state staff will be notified when any changes are implemented. Below are just a few of the initiatives being worked on behind the scenes:
- Since the goal is to lower the overall costs, IOT's financial staff is diligently working to fine tune the IOT rates for the next fiscal year.
- Logon to your computer with your email address. You will soon be able to logon to your computer and many network authenticated applications with your email address rather than your user name eliminating the need to know the domain name. The password field will continue to be the same.
- Soon state employees will have the ability in Outlook to send encrypted email to non-state entities. There will be a button in Outlook entitled "Send Certified" to click when you want the email to be encrypted.
Save Money
Interested in saving your agency money as well as tax dollars? One way you can help is to clean out your Outlook Mailbox and Home folder. Tips for accomplishing this:
- Search your Outlook mailbox folders for messages with words "lunch", "joke", "birthday", etc. and delete them.
- Delete Outlook emails in your Deleted items folder.
- Search your Outlook Sent items folder for additional personal or non-business related emails.
- Delete music, pictures, or personal documents from your Home folder.
- Delete old documents which are no longer needed from your Home folder. (Note: Before deleting business-related documents, be sure you understand your agency's retention policy.)
