Technician
tuesday september
21 2010
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
OIT plans Internet safety presentations The Office of Information Technology is hosting a variety of e vents for Cyber Security Awareness month. Shivalik Daga Staff writer
The Office of Information Technology is planning two presentations on cyber security in October. Tim Gurganus, security officer with OIT security and compliance, said he will present the opening presentation,. “The presentation will be an annual report of our most important security concerns, and contain an analysis of all the phishing attacks, malicious mail and viruses that infect numerous Facebook and Twitter pages,” Gurganus said. Marc Hoit, vice chancellor of OIT, said he wants to emphasize precautions are never enough.
The University network in the state and is a major target for hackers and phishers alike, according to Gurganus. Attackers are beginning to target applications more frequently, rather than just the operating system. A major trend is to attack commonly used applications like Java, Adobe Reader, Flash and Firefox, according to Gurganus. “My view is that we have to balance between allowing for freedom for expression and exploration, and creating and maintaining a safer network that prevents malicious code,” Gurganus said. Gurganus said he wanted to emphasize the importance of regularly updating products. “Many students do not install these patches because they either simply don’t know that they exist, or don’t bother much. This should be taken seriously because it helps avoid many security problems,” Gurganus said. OIT recently upgraded the student
information system. SIS is an integrated information system which serves all departments within the University. There are modules which include information about business activities and human resources. SIS has a lot of monitoring systems and is safer than before. The OIT also plans to start a “Safe Computing Section” on its website. The University has a bi-monthly newsletter which updates students about various issues related to information technology on campus. SysNews, a public webpage, is another resource maintained by the OIT. The cyber security presentations will focus on Facebook privacy and the numerous ways students can stay updated and safe. “Our two biggest concerns regarding students’ safety are with students releasing information that compromises their identity on the Internet, mostly on sites like Facebook and Twitter, and regarding social engi-
neering for security,” Hoit said. According to Hoit, social engineering includes emails that redirect the user to a webpage which causes them to give personal information online. “With the advent of smartphones, staying aware and protecting your identity has become all the more important. Luckily such cyber-theft issues are not widespread and students are generally aware about such threats,” Hoit said Hoit said students should remember the information they share can be found by other people. “If you spend a little time thinking about the implications of the information you share, you’ll be a lot safer. When you put something in an email, you should be able to put it as a headline in the newspaper,” said Hoit. The Student Advisory Group started by Hoit is a link between the OIT and the student body. These meetings provide a place for students of all affiliations to share their thoughts and
coming up: “NCSU Annual State of InfoSecurity” presentation Noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Erdahl-Cloyd Auditorium of D.H. Hill Library What’s New in Facebook? Noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 12 in 216 Scott Hall Will highlight recent changes in the Facebook interface, new privacy setting tweaks and changes in thirdparty application support. Source: Chancellor’s Office
ideas about technology. Hoit participates in these meetings by listening to feedback, answering questions and addressing concerns. The Student Advisory Group generally meets once a month during the fall and spring semesters. Gurganus said, “The Student Advisory Group is to help us to stay connected to the student body.”
Program seeks to inspire young readers Through interactions with N.C. State student athletes, area middle school students are becoming more excited about reading and writing. Joshua Chappell Correspondent
Ayanna Seals/Technician
Spotted spray painting from the top of the Free Expression tunnel, John Potts a senior in mechanical engineering and Kayla Flanagan, a sophomore in communications tag the tunnel for their first time. “Its good to see something new on the wall on your way to class. Its mildly entertaining”, Kayla said while deciding to embark in on the action.
Free Expression Tunnel allows for painting on campus The free expression tunnel is constantly changing because of students and groups painting in the tunnel. Nithya Kote Staff Writer
Students use the free expression tunnel to share messages around campus. The free expression tunnel changes daily. The free expression tunnel is the University’s answer to combating graffiti on campus since the 1960’s. The free expression tunnel connects North campus to the Central campus which is split by the railroad track. Students can express their thoughts and feelings about anything in the tunnel. Students paint announcements of upcoming events or express their art on the tunnel walls. As a result the tunnel never looks the same. David Hatch, the director of repair and renovation said students should act responsibly when using the tunnel. “Students should paint within the defined region on the both sides of the tunnel, as it costs us a lot for cleaning up the areas outside the tunnel,” Hatch said. “Students should not paint beyond the signs “No painting beyond this point” which are placed at the northern and southern extremes of the tunnel.” According to policies in REG 11.55.4 specified by Student Activities and
? ?
Ayanna Seals/Technician
Getting a boost from the center hand rail, David Ji a freshman in architecture, spray paints an image in the expression tunnel. “The tunnel keeps society in check. It[graffiti] would be raining across campus if this wasn’t here”
Services, there is no restriction regarding painting over the sections of the tunnel that other people or organizations have painted - no matter how recently they have been painted. However, in the past a lot of animosity has been generated toward groups who paint over sections that are advertising events not yet held or sections painted very recently. Students should use some courtesy and common sense when selecting an area of the tunnel to paint. Only the lights and railings inside the tunnel are repaired, according to Hatch.
For some local middle school students, reading books does not only mean increased knowledge – it also means free N.C. State women’s basketball tickets and the opportunity to meet some of the N.C. State student athletes. “Booking with the Pack,” a program coordinated by the Academic Support Program for Student Athletes (ASPSA) is a fairly new program at the University striving to inspire middle school students to read, and to those students a sense of connection to the local university. There are essentially two parts to this project. The first, which has been around since 2006, specifically targets improving reading and writing skills among Triangle-area middle school students. According to Jennifer Womack, ASPSA graduate assistant, the first part of the program challenges middle school students to read ten books in ten weeks. Should they complete the requirement, they can earn tickets to an N.C. State women’s basketball game that recognizes all of the students who achieved the goal. The students will also get a chance to meet N.C. State student athletes at the event. Additionally, the middle schools can request a ‘pep rally,’ in which case student athletes from the University and ASPSA staff members come to the schools to kick off the program and get students excited about reading. “Students sometimes tend to lis-
ten better when they are listening to someone they look up to – like a student athlete. They have seen these guys on TV, so they really enjoy it,” said Womack. This part of the program also seeks to connect middle school students to the idea of college at a young age. The schools sometimes bring their students to N.C. State and the studentathletes get to spend time with them and tour them around campus. “Often there are programs to connect high school students to college,” Womack said, “but this program goes after the middle school students and gets them thinking about college at a young age.” Although there are certain guidelines for the program, the schools do a lot of their own planning and steering of their respective programs. “We provide the resources, and it’s up to [the schools] to decide the direction of their program,” said Womack. The second part of the program is a more recently started effort to collect books through various organizations to donate to area schools. According to Womack, Booking with the Pack has collected 17,902 books and donated 11,613 of them. “We contact area organizations to let them know that we have books to donate,” said Womack, “and based on their current needs and storage space, they can request the books on a first come, first served basis.” Organizations that have received books include: Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities, Boys and Girls Club of Wake County, Greystone Recreation Center, and more, according to ASPSA. A few weeks ago, Booking with the Pack made one of its first large-scale
book continued page 3
insidetechnician Centennial Campus enjoys alternative food option
“Before we would paint and clean up the tunnel walls and ceilings, but we no longer do it as it is not practical,” Hatch said. “But we do fix the lights and railings inside the tunnel when needed.” According to Hatch, students should not paint on the lights inside the tunnel. “We prefer if students do not paint on the light coverings. It is not practical to clean up the paint on the light coverings as it gets sprayed on once again,” Hatch said.
Tunnel continued page 3
Mom’s Delicious Dishes food truck serves food to comfort hunger, soul and wallet. Evemt better - it cmoes to campus. See page 6
Patience pays for Underwood
Sophomore running back waiting for his opportunity to come knocking. See page 8.
viewpoint business and money classifieds sports
NC State Bookstores CALL FOR ENTRIES!
? ?
4 5 7 8