We are dealing with a large spike in infected Windows machines at the moment, mostly because of outdated Adobe Reader, Java, and Flash. The infections have caused a number of hard drives to need rebuilding, which can be very disruptive to everyone involved (especially you).
If you would like to read more about these problems (which are happening all over the world), please see this URL:
See especially the story titled, “Be Aware – Be Wary – Malicious Web Advertisements Present Growing Risk”
We’re preparing a series of automatic updates for these three programs, and a few others, which we are going to test on ITS staff first. We hope to have them ready to go out to campus computers soon. Here’s what to expect:
1. These automatic updates run only in the Windows XP (or 2000) operating environment, where ZENworks Application Explorer loads at startup. These will probably fail if Windows Update (WUAU, from WSUS) is trying to run at the same time. If they fail once, they will try to run again next time you log in.
2. Schedule (dept by dept: ITS first, then Administrative offices, then Academic departments) is being set. Rapid response is coordinating when the updates launch. See below for schedule.
3. The automatic updates will start after the user logs in, when ZENworks Application Explorer refreshes. (As always, there will be lots of different errors unless drive W: is mapped to APPS.)
4. The automatic updates are, in this order:
- a. 01Prep: Disable Novell Remote Management service, and fix IE Security Zones
- b. 21K2: Sassafras K2 version 6.2.0.3
- c. 33Java: Sun JRE 6u18 (a.k.a., 1.6.0_18)
- d. 34AReader: Adobe Reader version 9.3.1
- e. 41FlashIE: Flash Player 10.0.45.02 for IE
- f. 42FlashIE: Flash Player 10.0.45.02 for Firefox
- g. 99Post: Prompt user to reboot
5. The first automatic update runs once; each of the others runs if the application is not found, or if this latest version of the application is not detected (i.e., any earlier version of the application is installed). If an installation fails, it will be tried again at the next user login, since those criteria have not yet been satisfied.
6. Rebooting is suppressed until the last automatic update, after which the computer will reboot, with the usual prompt to the user. (On an OptiPlex 755, the whole process took about 3½ minutes.)
7. Except for the Sun JRE, earlier versions are either upgraded in place, uninstalled by the installer program, or uninstalled from the ZENworks script that runs the installer. Sun JRE versions 6u9 and earlier are left alone; version 6u10 to 6u17 are upgraded in place, assuming they used the default static installation method.
8. It is probably best if you let the automatic updates finish (on the day they actually run on your computer) before using the computer for your normal work. One of the updates may cause Firefox and Internet Explorer to quit during the update process, if either of those apps are running at the time.
If you have any questions or problems, please call Rapid Response, x5999.
Department |
Building |
Monday, April 5 | |
Chaplain Alumni Affairs |
Chapel Bird |
Alumni Annual Fund | Hendrickson |
Student Financial Services | Henry House |
Summer Academic Programs | Hoppin House |
Institutional Research | Hoppin House |
Admissions | Johnson House |
Human Resources | Strong House |
Tuesday April 6th | |
President’s Office | Laird |
Registrar | Laird |
Telecommunications | Laird |
Vice President & Treasurer/Investment Office | Laird/Twin Cities |
Dean of the College | Laird |
Dining Services | Sayles/LDC |
Thursday April 8th | |
Business Office | Leighton |
College Relations | Leighton |
Corporate & Foundation Relations | Leighton |
Development Services & Prospect Research | Leighton |
External Relations /Development | Leighton |
Media Relations/Web Services/Publication & Voice | Leighton/Library |
Post Office/ Campus Services/Mailing services | Leighton/Sayles |
Off-Campus Studies | Leighton |
Printing Cory and Loretta | Leighton |
Monday April 12 | |
Dean of Students | Sevy |
Residential Life | Sevy |
Campus Activities/ ACT Office | Sayles |
Bookstore | Sayles |
Career Center | Sayles |
Security | Sayles |
Facilities Management and Planning | Shop Building |
Tuesday April 13 | |
Wellness Center | Davis |
Academic Support Center/ Trio | Scoville/Second St. |
Cross Cultural Studies/GSC/Intercultural Life | Scoville |
Monday April 12th | |
Art and Art History | Bouliou |
Mathematics and Computer Science | CMC |
The College Writing Program | CMC |
Wednesday April 14th | |
Linguistics | Goodsell |
Environmental and Technology Studies | Goodsell |
American Studies | Goodsell |
Biology | Hulings |
Monday April 19th | |
Women’s and Gender Studies | LDC |
Asian Languages and Literature/Asian Studies | LDC /Leighton |
The Language Center | LDC |
Classics | LDC |
Archaeology | LDC |
German and Russian | LDC |
French and Francophone Studies/Spanish | LDC |
Wednesday April 21st | |
English | Laird |
History | Leighton |
Sociology and Anthropology/ South Asian Studies | Leighton |
Writing Program | Leighton |
Religion | Leighton |
Philosophy | Leighton |
Thursday April 22nd | |
Library | Library |
Friday April 23rd | |
Science Education Resource Center | Medical Arts Bldg |
Psychology | Olin |
Cognitive Studies | Olin |
Physics | Olin |
Geology | Mudd |
Chemistry | Mudd |
Monday April 26th | |
Theater and Dance | Music and Drama |
Music | Music Hall |
Physical Education, Athletics, and Recreation | Rec Center |
Tuesday April 27th | |
Cinema and Media Studies | Scoville |
Media Services | Scoville |
Educational Studies | Willis |
Perlman Center for Learning and Teaching | Willis |
Economics | Willis |
Political Science | Willis |