The Daily Bulletin is published by Internal and Leadership Communications, part of University Communications
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Life is a highway and Canada Day is the destination
Canada Day 2017 at the University of Waterloo promises to be the biggest celebration yet. Join 60,000 of your closest friends on July 1 as we come together to celebrate the University’s 60th anniversary, the 50th anniversary of our Federation of Students, and Canada’s 150th birthday.
Canadian rock icon Tom Cochrane along with Red Rider is headlining the OpenText stage, and Juno award-winning children’s performers Bobs & Lolo are back for the kids. A special Canada 150 cultural stage, hosted in partnership with the City of Waterloo, will be added this year, featuring local cultural organizations and Indigenous content. It all comes together with an amazing fireworks display.
More details about this special day, including more outstanding Canadian performers, contests, and record-breaking activities will be unveiled in the weeks leading up to Canada Day.
Keep an eye on the Daily Bulletin, Waterloo's social media accounts, and visit the Canada Day website for more information. It will be a great day to be part of our Waterloo community and to show some Waterloo pride.
Tomorrow starts today: Waterloo Magazine looks at the future
From sustainable cities to improved quality of life, personal privacy and communication technologies, the spring issue of Waterloo Magazine explores the ideas, people and places helping to define our future, starting today.
Read about what autonomous vehicles will be capable of doing a decade from now. Find out how we will interact with robots. What will artificial intelligence bring as it is used to understand the vast quantities of data being produced in our Internet of Things world? How can we exploit the amazing quantum computers of the future, while minimizing the cybersecurity risks?
No one can predict the world a decade from now, but we can take a peek through the eyes of Waterloo’s researchers and the enterprising entrepreneurs taking those discoveries into the world.
Don't let hackers hold your data for ransom
Information Systems & Technology (IST) is warning campus computer users about the 'ransomware' attack that crippled computer systems worldwide over the weekend.
"In mid-April 2017, hacking tools alleged to have been developed by the NSA were released to the public," says a note from IST. "These tools exploit a flaw in all versions of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Microsoft had released updates in March 2017 to correct the flaw in supported versions of Windows."
"On Friday, May 12, a ransomware worm named “WannaCry” attacked hundreds of thousands of computers in approximately 150 countries by exploiting this vulnerability. While the initial malware outbreak was stopped by a security researcher, we expect more attacks given the pervasiveness of the flaw."
Any computer running the Microsoft Windows operating system is potentially at risk from the WannaCry worm.
IST recommends the following steps to protect your Windows computer:
- Ensure that you have the most up to date security patches installed on your Windows operating system. It is recommended that you enable auto updates to ensure your system is always up to date. A reboot is needed for the update to take effect. Computers on-campus in the NEXUS domain should already have this update applied.
- For users running Windows XP, Windows 8, or Windows Server 2003 follow the directions laid out by Microsoft.
- If you are unable to update your system, then turn off SMBv1.
- Be cautious of any suspicious email you receive. Under no circumstances should you open or extract unexpected zip files, run any files contained within the attachment, or click on links within the email. Doing so allows the malware access to your machine, which will render it unavailable until fixed. This process can take 1-2 business days.
Consider using Windows Firewall for additional protection. It is recommended that you deny inbound connections by default, and allow connections only specifically required.
IST also recommends that you check out the Microsoft security bulletin for more information.
Anyone with questions or concerns should contact the IST Service Desk by emailing helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca or calling ext. 44357.
Faculty can secure $70K for top-notch postdocs
The 2017 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) program has now launched! Faculty members are asked to encourage highly competitive PDF candidates to apply to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship (PDF) program.
The prestigious Banting PDFs are valued at $70,000 per year (taxable) for two years. Please direct prospective international and domestic applicants to visit Waterloo’s Banting PDF website for institutional timelines and processes.
Interested applicants must complete preliminary applications by June 14, 2017. Questions may be directed to Heidi Mussar in Graduate Studies.
Tuesday's notes
The next Games Institute G.I. Jam will take place from Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28 in the Quantum-Nano Centre. "This event is an opportunity to make games, explore new game ideas, and interact with fellow game-lovers in an exciting and relaxed environment," says a note from the Games Institute. "Open to all levels of expertise: from beginners to master game-makers!" Registration is required.
The Equity Office has announced its series of upcoming LGBTQ+ Making Spaces workshops for the Spring term. There will be three workshops, with the first scheduled for June 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in NH 3318. Please register as seating is limited.
Human Resources is reporting that retiree Graham Connor died on May 7. Graham joined the University in March 1987 and retired in July 1998 as a Custodian in Plant Operations. He was predeceased by his spouse Brenda.