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AFS space increases to 1GB for students, faculty, staff, and registered student organizations

08/18/2009

On August 24, 2009, AFS quotas will increase to 1 gigabyte, from its previous 100 megabyte of storage. AFS users who paid for additional space will have their billing adjusted based on the new 1GB space allowance.

About AFS

The remote storage AFS (Andrew File System) has been in use at MSU since 1992 and is available through users’ NetIDs. AFS space can be used to backup all kinds of files and to post personal Web sites. USB drives, CDs, and DVDs can become defective over time or can be lost. Files stored through the AFS system are secure and easily accessible from anywhere with any workstation offering Internet connectivity. AFS space also enables users to create personal Web pages with their NetID.

Accessing AFS
AFS space can be accessed in the computer labs on campus. It also can be accessed through the Web-based graphical interface Netfiles (https://netfiles.msu.edu/). This site allows users to upload new files, organize files and folders, and manage folder permissions. Refer to knowledge base article 7897 (http://techbase.msu.edu/article.asp?id=7897&service=techbase) for more on Netfiles.

Users can also access AFS space through FTP, which is a reliable method of connection when off campus, when using a dial-up connection, or when behind a firewall. Internet Explorer offers an FTP method. Other FTP clients that can be used include FileZilla (Windows) and Fetch (Mac). Refer to knowledge base article 2468 (http://techbase.msu.edu/article.asp?id=2468&service=techbase) for more information on accessing AFS space.

Creating a personal Web page through AFS
To use AFS for personal Web page creation, an index.html or index.htm file must be created. Then a user uploads Web site files to his or her AFS Web folder. After creating an AFS Web page, the following syntax is used to access it: http://www.msu.edu/~yournetid. For example if your NetID is sparty, the personal URL would be entered as http://www.msu.edu/~sparty. Refer to knowledge base article 2394 (http://techbase.msu.edu/article.asp?id=2394&service=techbase) for more information on Web page creation using AFS.

New Phishing Attack

08/10/2009

There has been a new phishing attack involving large numbers of MSU account holders. A fraudulent e-mail (shown below) was sent out on Sunday, August 9, 2009. A large volume of incidents were reported to the ATS Help Desk related to this phishing attack, including a relatively high percentage of users who responded to the e-mail.

Our general advice to the MSU community has been – do not reply to a phishing message, just DELETE it. MSU will not send e-mail requesting NetID, passwords, or any other personal information. In the event you or someone you know responded and provided the solicited information, it is important to act quickly to minimize any possible damage:

1. Immediately change the account password
2. Call the ATS Help Desk if you need further assistance

To learn more about phishing emails please read knowledge base article 4194.
http://techbase.msu.edu/article.asp?id=4194

We strongly recommend that you share this information with others in your department. Thank you for your cooperation.

ATS Help Desk
(517) 432-6200

_________________________________
FRAUDULENT E-MAIL

Dear MSU.EDU Account User,
We have noticed an unauthorized attempt to change your Michigan State
University’s Account password from a foreign IP. This was going to
result to your inability to access your account due to the password
change.
We are about to terminate your Michigan State University’s account for
security reason.
If you know you are the authorized owner of this account, kindly reply
by providing your original
USER NAME (*******)
PASSWORD (*******)
The provision of the above information will prove that you are the
owner of this account and we will protect your ID and password from
unauthorized access.
Failure to do this will violate Michigan State University?s email
terms & conditions.
From Michigan State University’s Admin and Web Support Team.
© 2009 Michigan State University Board of Trustees. East Lansing MI
48824 MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.

“Warning:
The information contained in this email and any attached files is
confidential to Michigan State University. If you are not the intended
recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this email or any
attachments is expressly prohibited. If you have received this email
in error, please notify us immediately. VIRUS: Every care has been
taken to ensure this email and its attachments are virus free,
however, any loss or damage incurred in using this email is not the
sender’s responsibility. It is your responsibility to ensure virus
checks are completed before installing any data sent in this email to
your computer.”