Embedded Files
Why updates never stop ... and why that's good news
Why updates never stop ... and why that's good news
You likely have noticed more update and outage notifications from Technology & Innovation (T&I). Your phone, computer and web browser are also asking for updates more often than they used to.
This uptick is in part due to the role AI plays in allowing bad actors to target systems at a speed not seen before. This week, learn why patching is picking up, how T&I works to protect Davidson, and a few habits that keep your own devices safe.
AI is changing the pace
AI is changing the pace
Moodle went down for most of a day in October. This Moodle outage was part of a stretch of unplanned, urgent maintenance on systems across the web related to a vulnerability in the code that many websites are built on.
This code vulnerability was itself part of a series of global security issues. Behind the scenes, vulnerabilities were being found and exploited faster than any organization could patch on a normal schedule, and that pace hasn’t slowed down.
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities are being found and exploited faster. Attackers use AI tools to discover weaknesses and build attacks in hours rather than weeks. That’s why T&I now patches more often and more quickly.
Attackers can now exploit a newly announced flaw more quickly, sometimes within hours, so waiting for a convenient maintenance window is no longer safe. The occasional short disruption is the trade-off for much bigger problems that never reach you.
The takeaway:
The takeaway:
Vulnerabilities are now found, announced and exploited faster than ever. Attackers often start using a flaw soon after it becomes public. A key defense is to patch and update systems and programs quickly and often.
Frequent updates mean fixes are arriving as fast as the threats. It may feel like updates are coming too fast, but each one is a vendor closing a security gap to keep your digital life safe.
What Davidson does to keep your digital life safe
What Davidson does to keep your digital life safe
Think of this as the "doors and locks" of campus technology. Most of it you never see.
Patching: We apply security updates to campus servers, services and college-managed devices, and we’re doing it more often now.
Multi-factor authentication: With Duo on your phone, a stolen password alone can’t get into your account.
Email and phishing protection: Filters stop much of the malicious mail before it reaches your inbox.
Monitoring and response: We watch for unusual activity on our systems and act quickly when we see it.
Security reviews: Before the college adopts a new app or vendor, we check how it protects student data.
What you can do
What you can do
T&I works to protect campus systems, and you can protect your personal devices with a few simple habits.
Turn on automatic updates.
This protects your operating system, apps and browser without you having to remember.Actually restart when you're prompted.
A downloaded update often does nothing until you restart. Don't let "Remind me tomorrow" turn into two weeks.Update your browser and apps, not just the operating system.
Browsers are a top target for bad actors.Check that your device is still supported.
Old phones and laptops eventually stop getting security fixes. If yours has, it's time to plan a replacement.Update on trusted networks like eduroam.
Avoid starting big updates on public WiFi.
Watch out: Fake update scams
Watch out: Fake update scams
Because real updates are everywhere, scammers imitate them.
Be suspicious of:
Be suspicious of:
A website pop-up saying your browser or video player is "out of date" and offering a download.
A text or email with an "urgent security update" link.
Any update prompt that appears while you're browsing a sketchy or streaming site.
The rule:
The rule:
Never install updates from a pop-up or link. Go to Settings on your computer or to the official app store yourself and check there.
If something seems off:
If something seems off:
Disconnect the device from the internet.
From a different device, change your passwords, starting with your Davidson email and other important email addresses.
Report it to the T&I Support Center, even if it's a personal device. We can help you with next steps. Email ti@davidson.edu or call 704-894-2900.
Check out some additional tools and resources
Check out some additional tools and resources
Register to win this week's prize.
Page updated
Report abuse