Update on recent spam attacks

We'd like to provide you with an update on recent the spam attacks which are occurring in our environment.

Our message security vendor has advised us on high volumes of bogus Microsoft downloader and other messages that contain links to download malware. Spammers have created false Microsoft Outlook notifications and Amazon/World Pay confirmations, and added links that prompt users to download a fake update or invoice.
 
Google Apps Gmail and Postini have detected and blocked the vast majority of these attacks, and continues to release protections to stop the new mutations. Their capture rate is over 99%; however, the attack volumes are so large (in the hundreds of millions of messages) that a 1% passthrough rate means that a few messages may end up in your inbox.

For best security practices, if you see any suspect security notifications or messages:

• Do not deliver these messages from your Message Center or Quarantine Summary.
• Delete these messages from your inbox.
• Do not click on any links in the messages.
• If you need to access any of the services listed in the email, visit the website directly.

Please be assured that our security service considers virus and spam protection as their highest priority, and continues to be on the cutting edge against new spam attacks and tactics.

Using Search in Gmail

Need to find a message quickly? No problem. Gmail has the power of Google Search. It's like searching Google, but just for your mail. Plus, it has advanced capabilities. Watch this video to see how it works, and learn a little bit about Advanced Search.

How to fight spam using Gmail

You- yes you- can join the fight against spam. Watch this video to see how.

Become a Gmail Ninja

Now that you have moved to Gmail, it's time to hone your skills. Google has created a handy set of tips with the catchy title "Become a Gmail Ninja." You can choose your level: white belt, green belt, black belt, or Gmail master, then learn skills to make you more efficient.

If you want to keep a quick reference sheet handy, you can also print out the tips using this "PDF document."

Go and learn wisely, Grasshopper!

Email is now being delivered to Gmail

As of Tuesday, June 23, e-mail sent to any of the Oregon School District email addresses is being delivered to your Google Apps Gmail inbox.

This includes messages sent to addresses ending in any of the following:

• oregon.k12.wi.us
• oregonsd.org
• oregonsd.net

Many thanks to Zach for coordinating the dozens of DNS record changes with Google Apps, WiscNet, GoDaddy, and our own servers to make this happen smoothly.

Email will automatically go to Gmail soon

There is a slight delay in making the DNS changes necessary to make mail sent to xyz@oregon.k12.wi.us arrive in your Gmail Inbox. This should not have any effect on most staff, who have already configured Gmail to check GroupWise mail via POP.

If you are one of the people who has not configured Gmail to check your GroupWise mail (meaning that you still have to manually check both inboxes), this means that, for a couple more days, you'll have to continue checking both.

We'll provide more status updates when we make the actual DNS record changes.

Planned Internet Outage June 26, 1-5 AM

From: "NOC Change Management" <NOCChangeManagement@chartercom.com>

Date: June 15, 2009 4:54:20 PM CDT
Subject: Charter Communications Maintenance Notification  -  MNT 191939

Charter Communications will be performing maintenance that will affect your services.


Date/Time (local time zone): 6/26/2009 (1:00 AM - 5:00 AM)

Description of Maintenance: Madison, WI -

Expected Down Time: 60 mins

Affected Sites or Services: Oregon School District

Circuit ID	Circuit Description/Location	Impact
CNTWI08.11823	123 E. Grove Street, Oregon, WI	60 mins

What's the most annoying thing of the day? Opachki A

The annoying pest/virus/trojan malware that it driving us nuts has been identified. Not solved, but at least identified. At least we now know what to call it when we curse under our breath: Opachki A.