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Did you know that your university PC always stays up to date with the latest software and you don’t have to lift a finger?
One of the main reasons for this is that PCs without the latest software, in particular, Microsoft software, pose a high-security threat if they are connected to the SUN network without being adequately protected. Therefore, it’s extremely important that all network users’ devices are up to date at all times. The same goes for antivirus software. Recently this policy also protected SU staff against the WannaCry ransomware when it wreaked havoc around the rest of the world.
The updates are set up so that Microsoft updates will be done when you connect your device to the SUN network. Updates via the SUN network are free when you are on campus, but it could happen that updates are available for download when you are off-campus.
If you use VPN* at home to connect to the SUN network from off campus, be aware that updates may load in the background. Since they are usually quite large, this could cause unusually high traffic and/or large expenses. Microsoft updates are usually released monthly on the every second Tuesday of the month. If you have limited or use expensive data at home, keep an eye on your data usage during that week.
*VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a connection to the SUN-network which gives a user the same access as when he/she is on campus. Take note that most SUN services, for example email, Sun-e-HR, my.sun.ac.za, the Useradm administration page, etc, are all directly available from the internet without a VPN connection.
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Het jy geweet dat jou universiteitsrekenaar outomaties op datum bly met sagteware-opdaterings, sonder dat jy enigiets hoef te doen?
Een van die hoofredes hiervoor is dat rekenaars wat nie die nuutste sagteware, spesifiek Microsoft-sagteware installeer het nie, `n hoë sekuriteitsrisiko is indien dit aan die SUN-netwerk verbind sonder die nodige beskerming. Gevolglik is dit belangrik dat alle netwerkgebruikers se toestelle altyd op datum is. Dieselfde geld vir anti-virus sagteware. Dis juis hierdie beleid wat ons US-personeel onlangs beskerm het teen die WannaCry ransomware.
As gevolg van die beleid word Microsoft opdaterings ook gedoen sodra jou toestel aan die SUN-netwerk verbind. Opdaterings op die SUN-netwerk wanneer jy op kampus is, is gratis, maar dit kan gebeur dat opdaterings beskikbaar is en wil aflaai as jou rekenaar nie by die kantoor aan die netwerk verbind is nie.
Indien jy d.m.v. VPN* aan die SUN-netwerk verbind wanneer jy af van kampus werk, wees bewus daarvan dat opdaterings in die agtergrond kan laai. Aangesien dit in baie gevalle groot is, kan dit ongewone hoë verkeer en/of ook hoë kostes genereer. Microsoft-opdaterings word normaalweg maandeliks op die tweede Dinsdag van die maand vrygestel. Indien jy dus beperkte of duur data gebruik, hou veral gedurende daardie week jou dataverbruik dop.
*VPN (Virtual Private Network) is `n verbinding van elders na die SUN-netwerk wat die gebruiker dieselfde toegang gee as wanneer hy/sy op kampus is. Let op dat meeste algemene SUN dienste (bv. e-pos, Sun-e-HR, my.sun.ac.za, Useradm-administrasieblad, ens.) direk vanaf die internet beskikbaar is sonder `n VPN verbinding.
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Tags: vpn