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Home  Frequently Asked Questions
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
These are real (edited) questions from real users. Please scan the list to see if your question is answered here. If not, please contact us at itss.inform@umich.edu.
Recent U-M Alerts
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What is Conficker and should I be worried?
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Conficker.C is a computer worm that exploits a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows. Depending on the specific type, the worm may spread by exploiting a vulnerability via the network, Web, or removable drives, or by exploiting weak passwords. No major activity has been reported on U-M networks. For more information, visit:
http://www.safecomputing.umich.edu/Alerts/conficker_q&a.php |
Phishing/Spam
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I received e-mail from "UMICH.EDU Administration" saying that I need to update my account by providing my login ID and password, or my account will be terminated. Is this for real?
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The short answer is no. The university will never send e-mail to a user asking for this information. If you receive a note like this, check our Phishing Alerts page where we list fake e-mail requests that U-M users have received. If it's not yet on the list, forward the note to itss.inform@umich.edu and we'll block replies to the note and post it as a caution to others. |
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What should I do if I suspect someone has access to my account?
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Change your U-M (Kerberos) password. Look for any suspicious changes in your file space and things like Wolverine Access Contact the User Advocate at abuse@umich.edu. |
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What should I do if I have fallen for a Craigslist or eBay scam, or have noticed one?
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Like any other crime, report it to law enforcement. Also, it is important to remember to always be skeptical about online transactions.
For more information, check out these pages:
http://www.craigslist.org/about/scams
http://pages.ebay.com/securitycenter/index.html |
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What should I do if I have replied to a phishing or fraudulent e-mail?
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Contact the User Advocate at abuse@umich.edu. |
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I have a message on my laptop screen that reads WARNING YOUR'RE IN DANGER YOUR COMPUTER IS INFECTED WITH SPYWARE. The only thing that works is a program called winbluesoft and they want money to remove it. What should I do?
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This sounds really suspicious - don't buy the program! We recommend bringing your laptop to a Computer Showcase location, where a consultant can do a virus scan and mitigation for you. Here's more information about their services and hours:
http://www.itcs.UMich.edu/repair/
If you are a do-it-yourself kind of person, visit http://virusbusters.itcs.umich.edu/disinfect/index.html for information on detecting and removing viruses. |
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I received this alert from a family member. Is it legitimate?
"Subject: VERY IMPORTANT - BIG VIRUS COMING !!! PLEASE READ & FORWARD!!!
Hi All, I checked with Norton Anti-Virus, and they are gearing up for this virus! I checked Snopes, and it is for real!! Get this E-mail message sent around to your contacts ASAP…."
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Parts of it are true: there was a virus circulated that came in the form of a greeting card attachment. There is not, however, a "BIG VIRUS" coming that will burn your whole hard drive.
It's important to know that spammers still do use the very real technique of sending an attachment or a link to a website that unleashes havoc when clicked on. For this reason, we recommend that you never open an attachment or click a link to a website that you don't recognize. If you are curious, you can always copy and paste the URL into a browser.
Another way of protecting yourself from viruses launched over the Internet is to drop your administrator rights when you are browsing, which limits your computer's exposure. This is recommended for Windows XP users; Vista already includes this kind of protection.
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Why was this e-mail forwarded from the US Navy trying to sell pharmacy discounts?
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It's just spam. It's not from the US Navy, either; sometimes spammers or others who are trying to bait people into spending money or sharing their information will create addresses that sound legitimate. These messages are sent to millions of addresses at random.
Responding in any fashion will confirm that your address links to a real person. Your best bet is to just delete it. |
E-mail Accounts
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I have disenrolled myself from the university. However, my U-M e-mail account is still active. How do I deactivate it?
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Unfortunately, you can't. Your department is responsible for deactivating your account. You may want to contact their main office to see what their policy and timeframe is. Until your account IS disabled, you have the option of forwarding mail sent to your umich.edu address to another account, like Gmail.
There is more information available on this Website:
http://www.itd.UMich.edu/itcsdocs/s4279/, or you can call 764-HELP for assistance with disabling your account.
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How do I forward my Umich.edu e-mail after leaving the university?
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E-mail forwarding is not an e-mail account but a forwarding service only. You can use e-mail forwarding, which gives you a "umich.edu" address but forwards mail to another e-mail account, like Yahoo or a work e-mail address. You can also subscribe to U-M Online, an Internet Service Provider. Contact the ITS Accounts Office at 734.764.8000 or visit http://www.itd.UMich.edu/itcsdocs/s4279/
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I'm wondering if there is any possible way to find a deleted e-mail from a few years ago.
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Unfortunately, it's unlikely you're going to be able to retrieve the deleted e-mail, but you might try calling 4-HELP to see if there is anything they could suggest. |
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Can I request my unique name and reset password online?
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You can't reset your uniqname, but the ITS Accounts Office can reset your password for you. Call them at (734) 764-8000, Option 1, to request a password reset. |
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I have a concern that my umich.edu account has been compromised. Where can I forward a suspect returned e-mail to so that your office can evaluate it?
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The User Advocate office can help you. You can learn more about the User Advocate at their Website: http://www.itcs.umich.edu/itua/ |
Purchasing a Computer or Software
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My son will be attending U of M in the fall as a freshman. I would like to purchase a Mac for him this summer. Can you tell me if we can get a student discount through U of M for that purchase? Are Mac support services provided on campus or should we purchase an 'Apple Care' support package?
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We recommend that you contact the university's computer store, Computer Showcase. They do offer educational discounts on some hardware and software and can also answer your questions about Mac support and the 'Apple Care' package. You can visit their website at http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/, or call them at (734) 647-2537.
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I was recently accepted to U-M, and I'm wondering what the normal requirements for personal computers are? For example, what programs and features should an incoming freshman have on her computer, what brands, etc?
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Check out U-M's orientation Website and the Website for Computer Showcase, U-M's computer and computer software stores in the Union and Pierpont Commons. You'll find some great information that should help guide your decision.
http://www.umich.edu/computing_start.php
http://showcase.itcs.UMich.edu/ |
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We are alumni of U-M and are curious if you know where/who I could ask if there are discounts on buying computers through the school as an alum?
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Sorry, only registered students, and current faculty and staff are eligible for educational discounts at the U-M Computer Showcase. You can visit their page for more information.
http://showcase.itcs.UMich.edu/buying.php |
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I'm an incoming freshman and I'd like to get started on some extra work for my photography class I might be taking in the Fall, but don't have Photoshop. How do I get it?
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Welcome to U-M! You have two options: first, you could buy it at a discount from the university. Check out the Computer Showcase's website (http://showcase.itcs.umich.edu/software.php) for more info.
Second, you can use the software for free by accessing it virtually at http://virtualsites.umich.edu/. With Virtual Sites, you can use the software on Campus Computing Sites Windows workstations remotely from any Mac or Windows computer with an internet connection. |
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