%PDF-1.3 1 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Outlines 2 0 R /Pages 3 0 R >> endobj 2 0 obj << /Type /Outlines /Count 0 >> endobj 3 0 obj << /Type /Pages /Kids [6 0 R ] /Count 1 /Resources << /ProcSet 4 0 R /Font << /F1 8 0 R /F2 9 0 R /F3 10 0 R /F4 11 0 R >> /XObject << /I1 56 0 R >> >> /MediaBox [0.000 0.000 612.000 792.000] >> endobj 4 0 obj [/PDF /Text /ImageC ] endobj 5 0 obj << /Creator (DOMPDF) /CreationDate (D:20250714231713+00'00') /ModDate (D:20250714231713+00'00') /Title (Report 07-2025) >> endobj 6 0 obj << /Type /Page /Parent 3 0 R /Annots [ 12 0 R 14 0 R 16 0 R 18 0 R 20 0 R 22 0 R 24 0 R 26 0 R 28 0 R 30 0 R 32 0 R 34 0 R 36 0 R 38 0 R 40 0 R 42 0 R 44 0 R 46 0 R 48 0 R 50 0 R 52 0 R 54 0 R ] /Contents 7 0 R >> endobj 7 0 obj << /Length 7444 >> stream 0.702 0.800 0.816 rg 34.016 34.016 543.969 723.969 re f 1.000 1.000 1.000 rg 45.266 96.368 521.469 650.366 re f 0.773 0.773 0.773 RG 0.75 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 45.641 96.743 520.719 649.616 re S 0.773 0.773 0.773 rg 61.016 112.118 m 550.984 112.118 l 550.984 112.868 l 61.016 112.868 l f 0.200 0.200 0.200 rg BT 61.016 693.716 Td /F1 14.4 Tf [(THE \(RO\)BOTS ARE HERE)] TJ ET 0.400 0.400 0.400 rg BT 61.016 664.909 Td /F2 9.0 Tf [(Posted on )] TJ ET BT 104.045 664.909 Td /F3 9.0 Tf [(January 01,1970)] TJ ET BT 173.588 664.909 Td /F2 9.0 Tf [( by )] TJ ET BT 188.096 664.909 Td /F3 9.0 Tf [(IT Communications)] TJ ET 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 61.016 637.420 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(For decades sci-fi movies have told us robots will take over the world one day. We don't have )] TJ ET BT 61.016 626.431 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(to prepare for a robot war just yet, but they are part ofour lives. We just don't realiseit.)] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 61.016 606.442 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Bots)] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 RG 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 61.016 605.291 m 79.025 605.291 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 79.025 606.442 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( have been in the news recently; some, )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 237.605 606.442 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(like Tay)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 237.605 605.291 m 268.610 605.291 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 268.610 606.442 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(, for the wrong reasons. But why all the )] TJ ET BT 61.016 595.453 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(fuss suddenly?)] TJ ET BT 61.016 575.464 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(One of the reason is the swiftimprovement of the artificial intelligence technology bots are )] TJ ET BT 61.016 564.475 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(powered with.Key Silicon Valley players Facebook, Google and )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 318.128 564.475 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Telegram )] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 318.128 563.324 m 358.637 563.324 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 358.637 564.475 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(have been at the )] TJ ET BT 61.016 553.486 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(forefront of these developments. At Wednesday's F8 conference )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 319.865 553.486 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Facebook)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 319.865 552.335 m 359.384 552.335 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 359.384 553.486 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(announcedthat )] TJ ET BT 61.016 542.497 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(were adding various bots, including a CNN bot, to their )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 281.111 542.497 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Messenger)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 281.111 541.346 m 325.625 541.346 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 325.625 542.497 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [( app.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 522.508 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Most of us don't know what a bot is and what it does. Even though it sounds suspicious, a bot )] TJ ET BT 61.016 511.519 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(is merely software designed to automate and complete simple and repetitive tasks you would )] TJ ET BT 61.016 500.530 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(usually perform yourself.For example, adding appointments to your calendar or making )] TJ ET BT 61.016 489.541 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(reservations, ordering food, etc.If you were living in America, you'd be able to use the)] TJ ET 0.980 0.980 0.980 rg 404.897 498.332 0.000 0.000 re f 91.031 477.719 125.559 9.158 re f 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 404.897 489.541 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Taco )] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 404.897 488.390 m 427.406 488.390 l S BT 61.016 478.552 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Bell bot)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 61.016 477.401 m 91.031 477.401 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 91.031 478.552 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(to order and pay for your meal.)] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 61.016 458.563 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Chatterbots)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 61.016 457.412 m 107.537 457.412 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 107.537 458.563 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(or chatbots are used in messaging apps and to simulate conversationsvia )] TJ ET BT 61.016 447.574 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(auditory or textual methods. They are designed to engage in small talk and ideally they should )] TJ ET BT 61.016 436.585 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(convince the person on the other end thatthe program is human.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 416.596 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Large international companies Lloyds Banking Group, Royal Bank of Scotland, Renault and )] TJ ET BT 61.016 405.607 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Citron all use automated chatterbots. They canbe used to answer basic customer enquiries, a function a call centre )] TJ ET BT 61.016 394.618 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(agent might normally deal with, or to acquire information.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 374.629 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Other bots can help you schedule meetings by e-mail. The bot is added to your e-mail thread and continues the )] TJ ET BT 61.016 363.640 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(conversation needed to schedule a meeting.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 343.651 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Unfortunately, bots can be used for malicious purposes. For example, posing as a human in chat rooms to tempt users to )] TJ ET BT 61.016 332.662 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(divulge personal information.They can be found onYahoo! Messenger, Windows Live Messenger, AOL Instant )] TJ ET BT 61.016 321.673 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Messenger and other instant messaging protocols.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 301.684 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Next time you send a chat message to someone at a call centre, you might be talking to Amy, the bot, not Amy, the )] TJ ET BT 61.016 290.695 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(human. We can confirm that all our own IT Service desk agents are 100% human.)] TJ ET BT 61.016 270.706 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(More recent articles on bots \(and robots!\):)] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 61.016 250.717 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Shopify acquires Kit, the artificially intelligent marketing bot)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 61.016 249.566 m 295.106 249.566 l S BT 61.016 239.728 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Hitachis cute new customer service robot seeks out lost customers)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 61.016 238.577 m 328.604 238.577 l S BT 61.016 228.739 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Fear the future: Donalddrumpfbot coming to Facebook Messenger)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 61.016 227.588 m 324.635 227.588 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 324.635 228.739 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [()] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 61.016 217.750 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Facebook's David Marcus explains how bots are going to change Messenger)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 61.016 216.599 m 367.367 216.599 l S BT 61.016 206.761 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(This personal shopping startup just launched one of the first Facebook Messenger bots)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 61.016 205.610 m 407.687 205.610 l S BT 61.016 195.772 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Facebook launches Messenger platform withchatbots)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 61.016 194.621 m 276.107 194.621 l S BT 61.016 184.783 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(Microsoft created a bot to auto-caption photos and it's going hilariously wrong)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 61.016 183.632 m 368.879 183.632 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 307.399 164.794 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [([SOURCES:)] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 359.410 164.794 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(http://www.recode.net)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 359.410 163.643 m 446.449 163.643 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 446.449 164.794 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(, )] TJ ET 0.373 0.169 0.255 rg BT 451.453 164.794 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(http://www.wikipedia.org)] TJ ET 0.18 w 0 J [ ] 0 d 451.453 163.643 m 548.482 163.643 l S 0.153 0.153 0.153 rg BT 548.482 164.794 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [(])] TJ ET BT 545.980 146.305 Td /F4 9.0 Tf [()] TJ ET 0.400 0.400 0.400 rg 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Number matching enabled by default for all Microsoft Authenticator users

Tuesday, May 16th, 2023

Microsoft Authenticator app’s number matching feature has been generally available since November 2022. If you have not already leveraged the rollout controls (via Azure Portal Admin UX and MSGraph APIs) to smoothly deploy number matching for users of Microsoft Authenticator push notifications, we highly encourage you to do so.

Microsoft extended the availability of the rollout controls until 8 May 2023, to deploy number matching in their organisations. Microsoft services started enforcing the number matching experience for all users of Microsoft Authenticator push notifications since then.

Please note

The expected behaviour for NPS extension have been changed to be more admin friendly. NPS versions 1.2.2216.1+ will be released once Microsoft starts to enable number matching for all Authenticator users. These NPS versions will automatically prefer OTP based sign-ins over traditional push notifications with the Authenticator app. An admin can choose to disable this behavior and fallback to traditional push notifications with Approve/Deny by setting the registry key OVERRIDE_NUMBER_MATCHING_WITH_OTP Value = FALSE. Previous NPS extension versions will not automatically switch Authenticator push notification authentications to OTP based authentications. 

How does this affect the university?

To prevent accidental approvals, admins can require users to enter a number displayed on the sign-in screen when approving an MFA request in the Microsoft Authenticator app. This feature is critical to protecting against MFA fatigue attacks which are on the rise.

Another way to reduce accidental approvals is to show users additional context in Authenticator notifications. Admins can now selectively choose to enable the following:

  • Application context: Show users which application they are signing into.
  • Geographic location context: Show users their sign-in location based on the IP address of the device they are signing into.

Number match behaviour in different scenarios going forward

  1. Authentication flows will require users to do number match when using the Microsoft Authenticator app. If the user is using a version of the Authenticator app that doesn’t support number match, their authentication will fail. Please make sure upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft Authenticator (App Store and Google Play Store) to use it for sign-in.
  2. Self Service Password Reset (SSPR) and combined registration flows will also require number match when users are using the Microsoft Authenticator app.
  3. ADFS adapter will require number matching on versions of Windows Server that support number matching. On earlier versions, users will continue to see the “Approve/Deny” experience and won’t see number matching till you upgrade.

          o  Windows Server 2022 October 26, 2021—KB5006745 (OS Build 20348.320)

          o  Windows Server 2019 October 19, 2021—KB5006744 (OS Build 17763.2268)

          o  Windows Server 2016 October 12, 2021—KB5006669 (OS Build 14393.4704)

  1. NPS extension versions beginning 1.2.2131.2 will require users to do number matching after May 2023. Because the NPS extension can’t show a number, the user will be asked to enter a One-Time Passcode (OTP). The user must have an OTP authentication method (e.g. Microsoft Authenticator app, software tokens etc.) registered to see this behaviour. If the user doesn’t have an OTP method registered, they’ll continue to get the Approve/Deny experience. You can create a registry key that overrides this behaviour and prompts users with Approve/Deny. 
  2. Apple Watch will remain unsupported for number matching. We recommend you uninstall the Microsoft Authenticator Apple Watch app because you have to approve notifications on your phone. 
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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.

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Email security

Friday, March 31st, 2023

Phishing and Report Message

View a PDF here: Phishing and Report Message Infographic

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Stop waiting and start updating

Friday, March 31st, 2023

Why Windows Updates are crucial for your device’s health

This article was compiled by Elnita Jacobs, Computer Technician 1: IT General Support Services, and Bradley van der Venter, Senior Configuration Specialist: IT General Support Services.

In today’s world with the ever-changing threat landscape, keeping our devices up to date is essential for ensuring they run smoothly and securely. Windows Updates is one of the most critical updates we need to keep up with. 

Windows Updates visual

 

1 – The Importance

Firstly, let’s talk about why installing Windows Updates is so important. These updates are designed to fix bugs and vulnerabilities in the operating system, improve performance, and add new features. This means that by installing updates, you can keep your device running smoothly and securely and take advantage of new features that Microsoft releases. Windows Updates can also help to protect your device from malware and other security threats, making them a critical part of your device’s overall security.

2 – “Patch Tuesdays”

It’s also worth noting that Windows Updates are typically released on the second Tuesday of every month, known as “Patch Tuesday”. This means that by default, Windows Updates are enabled to install automatically, and you can expect your device to receive updates shortly after this date each month. Additionally, if you fail to restart your device after updates have been installed, Windows will force a restart after seven days to ensure compliance. 

Please note that this is not enforcement from Stellenbosch University (SU) but from Microsoft. 

This is important to keep in mind, as it ensures that your device stays up-to-date and secure, even if you forget to restart after installing updates. For example, suppose you restart your device immediately after updates are installed. In that case, you minimise the risk of, for example, being in a meeting and then Windows notifying you that it will restart in approximately 20 minutes. 

This will only happen if you haven’t restarted your device for more than seven days after installing the Windows Updates. 

3 – The Consequences

Now, let’s consider the consequences of failing to install Windows Updates. First, when you fail to update and restart your device, you leave it vulnerable to security threats. Hackers can exploit the operating system’s vulnerabilities to gain access to your device and steal sensitive information such as passwords and financial data. Malware can also infect your device, causing it to slow down, crash, or render unusable. Additionally, failing to update your device can result in poor performance, as bugs and other issues can accumulate over time, making it harder to use your device efficiently.

One of the most significant risks of not updating your device is the possibility of data loss. If your device becomes infected with malware or crashes due to bugs, you may lose important data such as documents, photos, and videos. This can be devastating, particularly if you have not backed up your data. Additionally, if you use your device for work, you may risk losing valuable business data, which can be catastrophic for your business.

4 – The Solution

What can you do to ensure that you are keeping your device up to date? The simplest solution is to enable automatic updates on your device (Stellenbosch University Windows Asset devices joined to the domain have this enabled by default). This will ensure that your device receives updates as soon as they become available without any effort on your part. Alternatively, you can manually check for updates by going to the Windows Update in the Settings option on the Start Menu. Restarting your device regularly after installing updates is also important, as this ensures that they are fully installed and can take effect.

In conclusion, installing Windows Updates is crucial for ensuring your device runs smoothly and securely. By keeping your device up to date, you can take advantage of new features, improve performance, and protect yourself from security threats. Failing to update and restart your device for updates can lead to poor performance, data loss, and security vulnerabilities. So, ensure you enable automatic updates or manually check for updates regularly, and always restart your device after installing updates.

Reference:

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Meet your Computer User Area (CUA) Manager

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2023

As registered students, you have access to a CUA and passionate staff to help you along your journey. It is a privilege to introduce them to you:

FHARGA: Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences

 

FIRGA: Faculty of Engineering

 

GERGA: Faculty of Health Sciences

 

HUMARGA: Faculties of the Arts, Education, Law and Theology and Disability Unit

NARGA: Faculties of Science and AgriSciences

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