May 9, 2013

Purpose

Computer systems running vendor-unsupported or end-of-life operating systems are potential security threats to the UAB campus network. Vendors do not provide security patches for unsupported systems, and these unpatched systems can be exploited by attackers. Such exploitations can result in disrupted experiments, corrupted research data and/or completely compromised systems.  UABIT reserves the right to disconnect these computers from the campus network to mitigate this data breach risk (see UAB’s Acceptable Use of Computer and Network Resources policy).  UAB system administrators are responsible for maintaining the security of all information systems, per the campus Data Protection and Security Policy, which includes updating applications and operating systems.

Windows XP will not be supported after April 2014. Windows versions prior to Windows XP and any version of Mac OS X prior to version 10.6 should be considered unsupported.

Scope

The information in this guidance statement applies to all constituents internal to UAB.

Guidance

Questions can be directed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or, by calling (205) 975-0842.

References

http://sppublic.ad.uab.edu/policies/pages/LibraryDetail.aspx?pID=38

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselect

http://www.debian.org/releases/

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Releases

http://www-01.ibm.com/software/support/aix/lifecycle/index.html

http://www.sun.com/service/eosl/eosl_solaris.html

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9229784/Mac_users_left_wondering_if_OS_X_Snow_Leopard_s_retired

• OSX 10.8 and Java 1.7.0_13

UAB IT’s minimum recommendations for versions of Mac browsers and Java have changed as UAB systems have improved functionality that are compatible with the current version of Java.  UAB IT recommends installation of Mac OSX 10.8 and Java 1.7.0_13.  Apple operating systems will not run any version lower than Java 1.7.0_13.

UAB IT is also recommending using two different browsers — one for surfing the Web and one just for accessing UAB systems. For Internet Web browsing, use one of the following: Firefox with Java disabled, Safari, or Chrome. For working with just UAB systems, choose a different browser and enable Java to work in it. If you run into compatibility issues with the local browser and UAB IT systems, use the IT terminal servers to access UAB resources via RDP client. For more information, contact AskIT.

Instructions to download and install remote desktop connection client for Mac OS X

Upgrading to Mac OS X 10.6.5 with PGP Installed

(Click above for PDF)

PGP Whole Disk Encryption for Mac OS

(click above for PDF)

Initial set up: 

If you are launching Outlook 2011 for the first time, the "Welcome" screen will appear upon opening the application.

1. Set Outlook as the default application by checking the box next to Make Outlook the default application for email, calendar, and contacts.


2. Select Add Account.

   

3. In the Accounts screen, select Exchange Account.

    

4. Fill out the appropriate Exchange account information (leave the Configure Automatically box checked) and click Add Account.

    

5. A screen with your Exchange account information will appear for your review. Click the red "X" button on the upper left-hand corner of that screen to continue to Outlook 2011.

    

Adding an account to a previously configured Outlook 2011 application:

1. Select Outlook from the top left of the Apple Menu bar after launching the application.


2. Select Preferences.


3. Select Accounts under Personal Settingsfrom the Preferences menu.

    

4. Select the plus sign in the lower left-hand corner of the screen and select Exchange.

    

5. Fill out the appropriate Exchange account information (leave the Configure Automatically box checked ) and click Add Account.

    

6. A screen with your Exchange account information will appear for your review. Click the red "X" button on the upper left-hand corner of that screen to continue to Outlook 2011.

    

Set Up Exchange - Mac® Mail

With the release of OS 10.6 Snow Leopard, Mac Mail, iCal, and Address Book can integrate with Microsoft Exchange.

Note: For best performance with Exchange, we highly recommend using Autodiscover.

To set up Mac Mail for Exchange with Autodiscover, perform the following steps:

1. Open Mac Mail. If this is the first time that it has been used, the Setup Assistant will appear. Otherwise, select File / Add Account.
2. Enter the following information:  
   • Full Name-Enter your first and last name. This is the name that will appear in the From field of messages you send.
   • Email Address-Enter your entire email address (e.g., This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
   • Password-Enter the Blazerid password for your email account.
3. Select the Continue button.
4. If you get a Verify Certificate pop-up, select the Connect button.
5. An Account Summary page will open. To access your contacts through Address Book, select the Address Book contacts check box. To access your calendar through iCal, select the iCal calendars check box.
6. Select the Create button.

If you need to manually setup Mac mail, here are the server settings you will need to use.

Mail Server: mail.ad.uab.edu

Your Username: BlazerID

Your password: BlazerID password.

Antivirus software protects your computer from malicious files and exploits by scanning files on access and creation. The effectiveness of the antivirus software's ability to detect malicious files is based on the definition files that are updated seveeral times a day by the manufacturer. Therefore, it is important that the antivirus software is updated regularly to detect the latest threats.

This video will show you how to install application updates on your machine.

NOTE: Do not encrypt your boot disk if you currently use, or plan to use Bootcamp to run a Windows operating system on your Mac. Also, there is a known incompatibility with Sophos and FileVault on Mac OS X 10.5.x. If you choose to use FileVault please do not install Sophos Antivirus at this time.