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[:en]Computer Literacy and Digital Literacy – not the same thing[:]

Wednesday, June 7th, 2023

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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

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[:en]Information Security Awareness Training[:]

Tuesday, October 5th, 2021

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Part of living in a connected world is understanding that our private information is more vulnerable. ID theft and data breaches are no longer isolated incidents, they happen every single day.

So why would a university be targeted?

Universities hold a great deal of information that could be exploited if it gets into the wrong hands. This information includes personal details and research data.

Consequences and why it matters:

Though not all data security incidents will lead to the loss or theft of information, they will expose information to unwanted risk.

A full data security breach will involve a known disclosure or inappropriate access to information, which is a more serious incident. Any data security incident could potentially be disastrous for both you and the institution.

In an effort to create awareness around some of the typical hacks that we all fall prey to, we have made an Information Security Awareness training programme available. This is a self-study programme with fun quizzes in-between. This is by no means a programme that you will need to have a pass record. This course is strictly informational so that you will have the necessary tools when it comes to Information Security.

To access the course, go to https://learn.sun.ac.za. When the SUNLearn main page opens, click on the “Information Security Awareness Training” link and log in with your network username and password. If you’re successfully logged in, scroll down and click on the “Enrol me” button to enrol yourself for the course and to access the training material.

If you are unable to log on to SUNLearn and you are certain that the network credentials you have entered are correct and active, please log a request via https://learnhelp.sun.ac.za for SUNLearn support.

 

 

 

 

 

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[:en]Why is cyber security important?[:af]Hoekom is kubersekuriteit belangrik?[:]

Tuesday, October 5th, 2021

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Cyber security is the skill and ability of protecting networks, devices, and data from unlawful access or criminal use and the practice of guaranteeing confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.

Communication, transportation, shopping, and medicine are just some of the things that rely on computers systems and the Internet now. Much of your personal information is stored either on your computer, smartphone, tablet or possibly on someone else’s system. Knowing how to protect the information that you have stored is of high importance not just for an individual but for an organisation and those in it.

Did you know that:

  • As of 2021, there is a ransomware attack every 11 seconds, up from 39 seconds in 20191,2
  • 43% of cyber-attacks target of small businesses, and they have grown 400 percent since the outbreak began

More tips and resources can be found here. 

The US government’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has made a collection of tip sheets available for use. These downloadable PDF documents contain all the information you need to protect yourself from cyber security risks in a convenient, compact format. 

More tips and resources can be found here. 

[SOURCE:  Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, United States Government) 

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Kubersekuriteit is die vaardigheid en vermoë om netwerke, toestelle en data van onwettige toegang op kriminele gebruik te beskerm en die praktyk om vertroulikheid, integriteit en die beskikbaarheid van inligting te waarborg. 

Kommunikasie, vervoer, handel en geneeskunde is slegs enkele areas wat afhanklik is van rekenaars en die Internet. `n Groot hoeveelheid van jou persoonlike inligting word op jou slimfoon, rekenaar, tablet of elders op iemand anders se stelsels gestoor. Die vermoë en kennis om jou gestoorde inligting te kan beskerm is van kardinale belang nie net vir jou as individu nie, maar ook vir jou organisasie en kollegas.

Het jy geweet dat:

  • Vanaf 2021, vind daar elke 11 sekondes `n losprysware-aanval (ransomware). In 2019 was dit elke 39 sekondes, `n duidelike toename.
  • 43% van kuberaanvalle teiken klein besighede. Hierdie aanvalle het met 400% gestyg sedert die begin van COVID. 

Amerika se Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency het `n versameling wenkblaaie beskikbaar gestel vir algemene gebruik. Hierdie aflaaibare PDF-dokumente bevat al die inligting wat jy benodig om jouself te beskerm in `n handige, kompakte formaat.

Meer wenke en hulpbronne kan hier verkry word. 

[BRON:  Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, United States Government) 

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[:en]Extra layer of security added to campus computers [:af]Ekstra vlak van sekuriteit vir rekenaars op kampus [:]

Monday, August 2nd, 2021

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Cyber crime is a constantly evolving field. Even though the majority of viruses were created as pranks, it’s essential to stay informed of the various risks that exist on the internet if you want to stay safe online. Here’s a breakdown of the basics: 

Malware, or malicious software, is a catch-all term for any type of malicious computer program. Malware is the most common type of online threat.

Ransomware is an emerging form of malware that locks the user out of their files or their device, then demands an anonymous online payment to restore access.

Adware is a form of malware that hides on your device and serves you advertisements. Some adware also monitors your behaviour online so it can target you with specific ads.

Spyware is a form of malware that hides on your device, monitors your activity, and steals sensitive information like bank details and passwords.

The world of cyber crime is very similar to that of technology. Every year, new trends, breakthroughs, and tools emerge.

You’ve probably noticed a Malwarebytes Threat Scan icon on your desktop or laptop (Figure 1). Don’t worry, this isn’t a brand-new type of malware. Stellenbosch University’s IT department has added an extra layer of security to campus computers.

Figure 1

Malwarebytes Incident Response is the trusted standard in automated endpoint remediation. Unfortunately, with the current environment, some malware will return after removal and Malwarebytes will prompt you to initiate a restart (Figure 2).

Figure 2

This is because the malware will sync to your browsers profile and will be synced back to your device after it has been removed.  If you are experiencing such daily prompts for restarts by Malwarebytes, we suggest that you log a request on the ICT Partner Portal for a technician to assist with further remediation.

[ARTICLE BY BRADLEY VAN DER VENTER]

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Kubermisdaad is ʼn veld wat voortdurend ontwikkel. Alhoewel die groter meerderheid virusse aanvanklik as poetse geskep is, is dit deesdae noodsaaklik om op hoogte te bly met die verskeie risiko’s op die internet as jy veilig aanlyn wil wees. Hier is ʼn kort opsomming van die basiese gevare: 

Malware, of malicious software, is ʼn oorkoepelende term vir enige kwaadwillige rekenaarprogram. Malware is die mees algemene vorm van aanlyn-bedreiging. 

Ransomware is ʼn nuwe vorm van malware wat gebruikers se toegang tot dokumente of toestelle sluit en dan anoniem ʼn aanlynbetaling eis om toegang te herstel. 

Adware is ʼn vorm van malware wat versteek is op jou toestel en advertensies aan jou vertoon. Sommige adware monitor ook jou aanlyngedrag sodat dit pasgemaakte advertensies vir jou kan wys. 

Spyware is ʼn vorm van malware wat versteek is op jou toestel, jou aktiwiteite monitor en sensitiewe data soos bankinligting en wagwoorde steel. 

Die wêreld van kubermisdaad is soortgelyk aan die van tegnologie. Elke jaar is daar nuwe tendense, deurbrake en hulpmiddele. 

Jy het moontlik opgemerk dat daar onlangs ʼn Malwarebytes Threat Scan ikoon op jou skootrekenaar of tafelrekenaar se skerm verskyn het (Figuur 1). Moenie skrik nie, dis nie ʼn nuwe tipe malware nie! Universiteit Stellenbosch se IT-afdeling het ʼn ekstra vlak van sekuriteit op kampusrekenaars bygevoeg. 

Figuur 1

Malwarebytes Incident Response is vertroude standaard in outomatiese eindpunt remediasie. Ongelukkig, onder huidige omstandighede, beteken dit dat sommige malware kan terugkeer nadat dit verwyder is. Indien dit gebeur sal Malwarebytes jou aanpor om jou rekenaar af en aan te sit, soos aangedui in Figuur 2.

Figuur 2

Dit gebeur omdat die malware moet sinkroniseer met jou webblaaier se profiel. Dit sal weer terug sinkroniseer met jou toestel nadat dit verwyder is. Indien jy daagliks sulke versoeke van Malwarebytes kry om jou rekenaar af te sit, stel ons voor dat jy ʼn versoek aanteken op die ICT Partner Portal sodat ʼn tegnikus jou kan help. 

[ARTIKEL DEUR BRADLEY VAN DER VENTER]

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[:en]Microsoft Teams performance tips[:af]Microsoft Teams werkverrigting wenke[:]

Tuesday, July 6th, 2021

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Many SU staff members have experienced lost connections during a Teams meeting or sometimes have technical glitches such as poor or broken voice connections. With this short article, we provide some tips to ensure that your next Teams meeting has minimum disruptions. The tips are split into three categories:

  1. Good practices
  2. Preparing for a trouble-free meeting
  3. Steps to take if you experience a poor connection

The good practices include:

  1. Regularly shut down and restart your PC – at least once a day. The shut down and restart cleans the PC of processes taking up resources. A good habit is to shut down at the end of the workday, and start fresh in the morning.
  2. Regularly run updates, ensuring that the operating system and applications are up to date. This should happen almost automatically on University owned PCs.
  3. Regularly run virus checks.

Preparing for a trouble-free meeting – especially important if you are the host or presenter for a meeting:

  1. Close all unnecessary applications.
  2. Test if you have sufficient Internet bandwidth available. You can do this by running an Internet bandwidth test at Speedtest by Ookla – The Global Broadband Speed Test.
    For voice only and sharing images you need less than one MB/second. For sharing applications and using your webcam, you need between 1 and 2 MB/s.
    For video you preferably need 2 MB/s.
  3. Test if your PC has sufficient resources.
    For Windows 10 press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
    For a Mac the equivalent is the Activity Monitor: Press Command+Spacebar to get the Spotlight search field. 
    Start typing “Activity Monitor.”
    The CPU usage percentage should be under 50% and memory usage below 60% before you start MS Teams.
  4. If your MS Teams app was open before a meeting, quit and start MS Teams again at least 10 minutes before your meeting.
    To do this right click the Teams icon on the task bar and Quit, then start again.

5. If you share your Internet with other users (e.g. at home), ensure that the others know and do not hog the Internet connection. (e.g. do not play video, stream content, run updates).
Turn the camera off and use audio only if  the speed test or PC resources tests did show limitations.

6. If you are the host or presenter and have doubts about your Internet connection, rather work from your office on campus where you are unlikely to run into limitations. Use Ethernet (a cable connection to your router) rather than Wi-Fi if you have Ethernet available.

7. Have a second device with Microsoft Teams as a standby, e.g. a mobile phone with an LTE data connection. Practice switching devices so that you are familiar with how it works before you host a meeting.

Steps to take if you experience a poor connection:

  1. Turn the camera off if it was on.
  2. Turn off incoming video: (last item under the three dots menu).
    You will still be able to see shared screens and comments.

3. Switch to another device as a last resort, for example MS Teams on your mobile phone or tablet.

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Die meeste US-personeel het waarskynlik al die frustrasie ervaar van gebroke internetverbindings tydens ʼn Teams-vergadering of ander tegniese uitdagings soos swak of gebroke verbindings. Met hierdie kort artikel verskaf ons `n paar wenke om te verseker dat jou volgende Teams-vergadering met die minimum probleme gepaardgaan. Die wenke is verdeel in drie kategorieë:

  1. Goeie praktyke.
  2. Voorbereiding vir ʼn moeitevrye vergadering.
  3. Stappe om te neem indien jy ʼn slegte verbinding het.

Goeie praktyke sluit in:

  1. Skakel jou rekenaar gereeld aan en af – ten minste een keer per dag. Die af- en aanskakel verwyder prosesse op jou rekenaar wat onnodig hulpbronne gebruik. ʼn Goeie gewoonte is om aan die einde van die dag af te skakel en weer vars in die oggend te begin.  
  2. Doen gereeld opdaterings en verseker dat die bedryfstelsel en toepassings op datum is. Dit behoort normaalweg outomaties te gebeur op rekenaars wat US-bates is. 
  3. Loop gereeld jou anti-virus sagteware om te voorkom dat jou rekenaar virusse kry.

Voorbereiding vir ʼn moeitevrye vergadering, veral belangrik as jy die vergadering lei:

  1. Maak alle onnodige toepassings toe. 
  2. Toets of jy wel voldoende Internet-bandwydte beskikbaar het. Jy kan dit doen deur ʼn Internet-bandwydte toets te doen met Speedtest by Ookla.
    Vir slegs klank en die deel van grafika het jy minder as een MB/sekonde nodig.
    Vir die deel van toepassings en die gebruik van jou webkamera, het jy tussen 1 en 2 MB/sekonde nodig.
    Vir video het jy verkieslik 2 MB/sekonde nodig.
  3. Toets of jou PC genoeg hulpbronne het.
    Vir Windows 10 druk Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
    Vir MAC is die ekwivalent die Activity Monitor: Druk Command+Space bar om die Spotlight soekveld op te roep. 
    Tik Activity Monitor in die soekveld.
    Die persentasie CPU-gebruik behoort minder as 50% te wees en die geheue-gebruik onder 60% voordat jy MS Teams gebruik.
  4. Indien MS Teams oop was voor ʼn vergadering, maak dit toe en weer oop te minste 10 minute voor jou vergadering begin. Om dit te doen, regskliek op die Teams-ikoon op die taskbar, kies Quit en maak dit weer oop. 

5. Indien jy jou Internet (bv. tuis) met ander gebruikers deel, maak seker dat hulle weet jy is in ʼn vergadering sodat die Internet-verbinding nie onnodig oorlaai word nie (met bv. video’s, TV kyk of opdaterings) Skakel jou kamera af en gebruik slegs oudio as die spoedtoets of rekenaar se hulpbronne beperkings uitgewys het.

6. Indien jy die vergadering lei of aanbied en jy twyfel oor jou verbinding tuis, doen dit eerder vanaf die kantoor of kampus waar dit minder waarskynlik is dat jy probleme sal hê. Gebruik Ethernet (ʼn kabel direk verbind aan jou internetpunt) eerder as Wi-Fi indien dit beskikbaar is.

7. Hou ʼn tweede toestel met Microsoft Teams byderhand vir ingeval, b.v. ʼn selfoon met LTE-data. Oefen om toestelle te wissel sodat jy gewoond is aan hoe dit werk voordat jy `n vergadering moet lei.

Stappe om te neem indien jy ʼn slegte verbinding het.

  1. Sit die kamera af indien dit aan was.
  2. Sit inkomende video af (laaste item onder die driepunt-spyskaart) 
    Jy sal steeds gedeelde skerms en kommentaar kan sien.

3. Skakel oor na ʼn ander toestel as die laaste alternatief, byvoorbeeld MS Teams op jou selfoon of tablet.

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