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Soon?all staff and students?will be required to )] TJ ET BT 61.016 626.431 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(use multi factor authentication to secure their information and the university)] TJ ET BT 360.149 626.431 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(’s)] TJ ET BT 366.647 626.431 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( network.)] TJ ET BT 403.160 626.431 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 606.442 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)] TJ ET BT 211.532 606.442 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 586.453 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(What is MFA?? )] TJ ET BT 61.016 566.464 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Multi-Factor Authentication adds a second layer of security to your account to ensure that your account stays safe, even if )] TJ ET BT 61.016 555.475 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(someone else knows your password. This will mean that, for certain services, including Microsoft Outlook, Teams, etc. you )] TJ ET BT 61.016 544.486 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(will be prompted to provide more information in order to authenticate your identity as a Stellenbosch University student or )] TJ ET BT 61.016 533.497 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(staff member. )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 118.535 533.497 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(More about MFA here.)] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 RG 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 118.535 532.346 m 208.571 532.346 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 208.571 533.497 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 513.508 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(Why is it so important that I enrol for MFA?  )] TJ ET BT 61.016 493.519 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(By enrolling for MFA)] TJ ET BT 142.538 493.519 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(,)] TJ ET BT 145.040 493.519 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( you ensure that your account is )] TJ ET BT 275.108 493.519 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(more )] TJ ET BT 298.112 493.519 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(secure.)] TJ ET BT 327.623 493.519 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(  You are protecting your own data \(including your HR, )] TJ ET BT 61.016 482.530 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(payment details, etc.\), your colleagues and the university.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 462.541 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(How do I enrol for MFA?)] TJ ET BT 165.020 462.541 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 442.552 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(By following the steps set out in the )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 204.593 442.552 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(.pdf document.)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 204.593 441.401 m 264.128 441.401 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 264.128 442.552 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 422.563 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(What must I do if the document does not open? )] TJ ET BT 61.016 402.574 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(If the document does not open, it could be due to a slow internet connection or you do not have a PDF reader \(e.g. Adobe )] TJ ET BT 61.016 391.585 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Acrobat\) installed. Please also clear your browser history or try to open the link in a different browser.?)] TJ ET BT 468.176 391.585 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 371.596 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(How can a PDF reader be installed? )] TJ ET BT 61.016 351.607 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Please raise a request on the ICT Partner Portal that is available at)] TJ ET BT 327.641 351.607 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 330.143 351.607 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(https://servicedesk.sun.ac.za)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 330.143 350.456 m 445.694 350.456 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 445.694 351.607 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 448.196 351.607 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 331.618 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(What can I do if I have problems to enrol for MFA? )] TJ ET BT 61.016 311.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(If you are struggling to )] TJ ET BT 152.564 311.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(enrol)] TJ ET BT 172.571 311.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( for)] TJ ET BT 185.576 311.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( MFA, please )] TJ ET BT 241.097 311.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(log a)] TJ ET BT 260.609 311.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( request on )] TJ ET BT 308.138 311.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(the)] TJ ET BT 320.648 311.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 323.150 311.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(ICT Partner Portal)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 323.150 310.478 m 395.672 310.478 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 395.672 311.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( and a technician will contact you.?)] TJ ET BT 534.740 311.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 291.640 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(When do I have to enrol for MFA? )] TJ ET BT 61.016 271.651 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Please )] TJ ET BT 91.031 271.651 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(enrol)] TJ ET BT 111.038 271.651 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( for MFA as soon as possible. It is critical that all our staff and students use two-factor authentication. )] TJ ET BT 61.016 251.662 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(How will I know that I have successfully enrolled for MFA? )] TJ ET BT 61.016 231.673 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(A confirmation message will be displayed on the last screen of the )] TJ ET BT 326.633 231.673 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(enrolment)] TJ ET BT 366.647 231.673 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( process.)] TJ ET BT 403.160 231.673 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 220.684 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(You are now enrolled for Multi Factor Authentication.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 200.695 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(What must I do if I don't see the  screens as indicated on the enrolment document? )] TJ ET BT 61.016 180.706 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Raise a request on the ICT Partner Portal at)] TJ ET BT 236.597 180.706 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 239.099 180.706 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(https://servicedesk.sun.ac.za)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 239.099 179.555 m 354.650 179.555 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 354.650 180.706 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 357.152 180.706 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 160.717 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(Will I be charged for the MFA authentication SMS's? )] TJ ET BT 61.016 140.728 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(No, the SMS's are at the cost of the University.)] TJ ET BT 247.316 140.728 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 120.739 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(Can I enrol for MFA if I stay in an area without cell phone signal? )] TJ ET BT 61.016 100.750 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(No, you need a cellphone with reception to enrol for MFA.)] TJ ET endstream endobj 8 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F1 /BaseFont /Helvetica-Bold /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 9 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F2 /BaseFont /Helvetica-Oblique /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 10 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F3 /BaseFont /Helvetica-BoldOblique /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 11 0 obj << /Type /Font /Subtype /Type1 /Name /F4 /BaseFont /Helvetica /Encoding /WinAnsiEncoding >> endobj 12 0 obj << /Type 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Business, etc.\) applications will require MFA )] TJ ET BT 61.016 709.215 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(authentication. )] TJ ET BT 61.016 689.226 Td /F1 9.0 Tf [(What will happen if a service is activated for MFA?)] TJ ET BT 277.079 689.226 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( )] TJ ET BT 61.016 669.237 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Before you can access the )] TJ ET BT 169.574 669.237 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(service)] TJ ET BT 198.077 669.237 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( y)] TJ ET BT 205.079 669.237 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(ou will be requested to enter the one-time pin number)] TJ ET BT 418.181 669.237 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( that will be sent to the cell )] TJ ET BT 61.016 658.248 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(phone number that you have indicated during the enrolment process.)] TJ ET BT 335.660 658.248 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( Or if you chose to use the Authenticator App a )] TJ ET BT 61.016 647.259 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(message will be sent to your phone via the app which request that you approve and in some cases it might also ask for a )] TJ ET BT 61.016 636.270 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(scan of your thumbprint. )] TJ ET 0.400 0.400 0.400 rg BT 61.016 617.781 Td /F2 9.0 Tf [(Posted in:Security | | With 0 comments)] TJ ET endstream endobj xref 0 34 0000000000 65535 f 0000000008 00000 n 0000000073 00000 n 0000000119 00000 n 0000000312 00000 n 0000000341 00000 n 0000000479 00000 n 0000000624 00000 n 0000007383 00000 n 0000007495 00000 n 0000007610 00000 n 0000007730 00000 n 0000007838 00000 n 0000007966 00000 n 0000008067 00000 n 0000008195 00000 n 0000008296 00000 n 0000008424 00000 n 0000008530 00000 n 0000008658 00000 n 0000008764 00000 n 0000008892 00000 n 0000008974 00000 n 0000009102 00000 n 0000009184 00000 n 0000009312 00000 n 0000009394 00000 n 0000009522 00000 n 0000009604 00000 n 0000009732 00000 n 0000009814 00000 n 0000009942 00000 n 0000010024 00000 n 0000010089 00000 n trailer << /Size 34 /Root 1 0 R /Info 5 0 R >> startxref 12015 %%EOF Security « Informasietegnologie
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Why you should upgrade to Windows 11

Wednesday, April 2nd, 2025

Stellenbosch University’s IT Division is upgrading devices to Windows 11 to keep systems secure, up-to-date and running smoothly. Windows 10 is nearing its end of support, which means it will no longer receive important security updates soon. Upgrading to Windows 11 will help improve security, performance and the overall user experience.  

Our antivirus software, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, works best with Windows 11, offering advanced protection against cyber threats. It helps detect and prevent security risks, keeping your data and the university’s network safe.  

To help with this transition, we have added a notification to all Windows 10 devices. If you see this message, your device may need an upgrade. Please log a request so we can assess if your device is ready for Windows 11. Not upgrading in time could leave your device and data vulnerable to security risks. Stay ahead by ensuring your device is up to date! If your device isn’t eligible for Windows 11, we will guide you on the next steps. 

Benefits of upgrading to Windows 11  

  • Enhanced security features: Security is a top priority at Stellenbosch University. Windows 11 comes with stronger security protocols.  
  • Improved performance and efficiency: Windows 11 is designed to be more efficient, providing a smoother experience with faster boot times and improved power management and better memory for enhanced performance on modern hardware.  
  • Better compatibility with modern applications: Windows 11 ensures better support for new software, cloud-based services and AI-driven applications (with correct compliance and governance safeguards in place).  

Risks of not upgrading to Windows 11  

  • Security vulnerabilities: As Windows 10 reaches its end-of-life, security updates will stop, leaving devices and data vulnerable to cyberattacks and data breaches, unpatched security exploits that hackers can target and increased phishing and malware attacks.   
  • Compliance and regulatory risks: Stellenbosch University must adhere to strict cybersecurity regulations. Running an outdated OS could result in non-compliance with security standards and increased liability in case of data breaches.  
  • Decreased system performance and supportability: Over time, older operating systems become sluggish and outdated, causing decreased productivity and efficiency for the end user, higher support costs to maintain aging systems, and increased downtime and frustration.  

What to do if your device can’t upgrade to Windows 11  

Some computers in your Faculty/Department may not meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements. If your device is ineligible, consider upgrading your hardware. If your system is below the minimum requirements to run Windows 11, it may be time to replace it with a modern, Windows 11-compatible device. Please follow the link to log a Get New Hardware request. A quote will be provided for a device that is compatible with Windows 11.  

Upgrading to Windows 11 is more than just a cosmetic change – it’s a necessary step toward a more secure, efficient and modernised workstation. While the transition can sometimes be troublesome and inconvenient, the benefits far outweigh the risks of staying on an outdated OS and incompatible hardware. Don’t delay, upgrade today! 

Types of phishing attacks you need to know to stay safe

Friday, November 3rd, 2023

Phishing has evolved from a single technique into many highly specialised tactics, each adapted to specific types of targets and technologies. First described in 1987, phishing is now carried out via text, phone, advertising, and—of course—email.

Boiled down, all these tactics exist for the same purpose—to swipe confidential information from an unsuspecting target in order to
extract something of value. But knowing about the hugely diverse set of today’s phishing tactics can help ordinary people, home and
business internet users alike, to be more prepared for the inevitable instance when they become the target.

In this PDF we share 11 common phishing tactics you should know…

Types of phishing attacks

MFA – Everything you need to know

Friday, October 13th, 2023

Cybersecurity Awareness Month takes place during October each year. The theme for 2023 is “Secure Our World”. With this blog post, our focus is on Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of protection to your accounts, making it harder for hackers to get in. 

What is MFA?

Multi-Factor Authentication adds a second layer of security to your account to ensure that your account stays safe, even if someone else knows your password. This will mean that, for certain services, including Microsoft Outlook, Teams, etc. you will be prompted to provide more information in order to authenticate your identity as a Stellenbosch University student or staff member.

What are the benefits of MFA?

  • MFA improves the University’s security by adding another layer an intruder would have to penetrate.
  • MFA protects your University identity by ensuring no one else can act on your behalf even if your password has been compromised.
  • MFA safeguards you against security attacks.
  • With implementing MFA your information is protected which is one of the ways to increase the University’s reputation and trustworthiness.

Which authentication method is recommended?

The Microsoft Authenticator application can be downloaded from the Google Play Store (Android devices) and the App Store (Apple devices). Here’s a guide on how to set up Microsoft Authenticator: How to set up Microsoft Authenticator (1)

WATCH: A helpful guide on MFA

Be aware. Be secure. Be cyber smart.

Computer Literacy and Digital Literacy – not the same thing

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

Computer and Digital Literacy are two separate things, but they go together. For us to be effective, responsible technology users, we need to have both. In this article we explore the difference between these two concepts, and why it is important to develop digital literacy skills.

What is computer literacy?

Computer literacy is defined as the knowledge and ability to use computers and related technology efficiently, with skill levels ranging from elementary use to computer programming and advanced problem solving. Those who are computer literate have the ability to perform basic tasks on the computer. For example, switching on your computer, knowing how to access the internet, navigating a browser, and operating software systems, and completing any other tasks that make it possible to do your job.

What is digital literacy?

Digital literacy is the ability to navigate our digital environment using reading, writing, critical thinking and technical skills. It’s about using technological devices such as a smartphone, laptop or tablet, to find, evaluate and communicate information. So, digital literacy goes beyond computer literacy because it gives individuals the power to connect around the world. 

Why is digital literacy important?

Digital literacy skills are essential for participating in the modern economy. Digital literacy can play a powerful role in helping people connect, learn, engage with their community, and create more promising futures. Simply reading articles online does not address digital literacy, so it is important for everyone to understand the variety of content and possibilities that are accessible online.

  • Efficient Communication: Digital literacy improves communication that creates a more efficient workflow. It allows employees to communicate with each other through various platforms, such as email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and social media.
  • Enhances Problem-Solving Skills: With digital literacy, employees can access vast amounts of information through the internet, which allows them to research solutions to complex problems, find relevant data, and make informed decisions.
  • Increases Efficiency: Digital tools such as automation, online collaboration platforms, and project management software can increase efficiency in the workplace.
  • Improves Creativity: Digital literacy can also foster creativity in employees by providing access to various digital tools that can unleash their creative potential and produce high-quality content.
  • Better Time Management: Digital literacy can help employees manage their time more effectively.
  • Online Security: Digital literacy skills help individuals understand the importance of securing their online information and the potential risks of cyber-attacks.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI): Digital literacy skills are crucial for leveraging AI’s benefits.
  • Big Data: Digital literacy skills have become essential for individuals to interpret and analyse vast amounts of data effectively.
  • Social Media: Digital literacy skills are essential for using social media safely and responsibly. It enables individuals to identify potential risks associated with social media.

Start your digital literacy pathway

With the Microsoft Digital Literacy classes, you can gain skills needed to effectively explore the internet. 

Sources:

YOTTABYTE

LinkedIn

Microsoft

Futurelab

SU IT Digital Literacy in a nutshell

Microsoft: Out with the old and in with the new

Friday, March 31st, 2023

Technology has helped us become more efficient and work faster than ever, but technology is driven by software that must keep up with new requirements and regulations. For example, the security of the data on your device is critical, especially if you are working with company information. Then we must also comply with regulations such as POPIA.  

Now, more than ever, it is important that the software used on campus is updated. The IT Division always follows the rule of “best minus one” to ensure that software is properly tested for compatibility and that bugs are repaired before it is rolled out to the rest of the campus.

What does that mean for me as a user?  

The software that plays the most crucial part on your device is Microsoft Windows, and the version recommended is Windows 10 version 21H2. If your device is not compliant but still under warranty, the IT Division will upgrade it without charging the handling fee.

All new devices on campus are now installed with Windows 11 21H2.

It is also important to upgrade your Office software to Office 365 as the older versions, such as Office 2016, is no longer supported by Microsoft, and Office 2019 is nearing the end of support by October 2023. Once again, your data will be at risk as the software no longer receives security updates.

So, it’s out with the old and in with the new to save you time, get new features and have greater security.

 

© 2013-2025 Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author(s) and content contributor(s). The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by Stellenbosch University.