2004 was a year of change for the Division of Communications as we reorganized our services to take on total responsibility for all network services and end to end responsibility for service and support to State agencies in the area of PC and network installations. We made these changes to offer more efficient and congruent services to our clients. As we enter 2005, we believe that change will continue to occur in technology and the services we offer. We are inviting everyone to participate in these changes as we move through the next year.

In early February our Customer Services area will release a survey to our clients to ask for your input on the types and quality of services we offer and new services we are investigating. We believe that from this survey we will be able to assess services that you need to carry out your business functions, as well as determine what services no longer add value to you or your mission.

Although the training center has been closed, we plan to continue offering training opportunities in a couple of ways. New course updates will be added to our Computer Based Training (CBT) curriculum each every six months. Additionally, we will be looking for opportunities to coordinate specialized on site training and external training in the areas of technology for State agencies.

The Server Support area is investigating the possibility of adding “over the network” server back up services to State agencies that choose to keep the servers on their own premise. This service would allow your agency to participate in off-site storage of files and information. Additionally, we are working on a refresh to our consolidated server offering that will be state of the art technology.

The Desktop Support area will be exploring new support options to agencies looking for total desktop support for a monthly fee. This will include options for “ghosting” of desktop images that can be replaced over the network when necessary. Enterprise licensing for common software products will also be explored with State agencies this year. We anticipate that software such as anti-virus and personal firewall products will be added to statewide contracts for use by all State agencies. Effective the beginning of this month, we started using work order tickets when called out to a customer premise. This will assist you with verifying your monthly billing.

The Specialized Services Support area is currently working with two agencies on providing wireless network services in the Capitol and Nebraska State Office Building. This service will be expanded as an enterprise service to agencies in those buildings, and other State buildings as requested.

The Wide Area Network Support group will be rolling out new network services such as private DSL. This service is being added to our portfolio of products for offices that do not have the traffic to move to T-1 levels of service but need the security and speeds that private DSL can offer.

Services for cellular customers will be added by the Wireless Services Support group, as well as the exploration of a group of wireless personal products (i.e., Blackberry and pocket computing devices). Voice Services will be exploring the emerging technologies in the voice area such as voice over IP and new options for local and long distance. We have also made ordering calling cards available on-line.

We will be asking for your participation and assistance as we move through this process. These types of technologies will allow State Government to serve our constituents more efficiently, economically and reliably. And thank you for all your support through 2004.

Brenda L. Decker

Director

Division of Communications

2004/2005 University of Nebraska-Lincoln

CENTREX DIRECTORIES

The 2004-2005 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Centrex Directories have been distributed to all State agencies that have requested copies. At this time we are unable to obtain extra copies of this directory to distribute. The University sells these directories at the UNL Book Store located in the Nebraska Union on the downtown campus for $5.00 if you need to obtain more copies for your office.

The information in the UNL Directory is also available on the Internet at http://www.unl.edu/unlpub/facstaff.shtml. Then select faculty/staff directory to obtain employee information. For information on University offices select Faculty/Staff, then Administrative Listing, and then click on the office you need. You may also find University of Nebraska directory information by going to this webpage: http://www.nebraska.edu/4in1/. You can find information for all four campuses at this webpage. If you have any questions on this, please call Vicki at (402) 471-2761.

TIME WARNER CABLE SERVICES

Time Warner has implemented a rate increase in their services beginning January 1 2005. Please note this increase on your Division of Communications billing. The basic monthly rate will increase from $19.09 per unit to $20.43 per unit.

To start a new subscription, make any changes, or have general questions about this service, please contact Zale at (402) 471-4703.

NEW ONLINE ORDERING OF CALLING CARDS

Effective January 24, 2005, State Calling Cards can be ordered online. Our policy currently remains to send in orders for new cards on the 15th of every month. If you need a temporary card for an emergency or you have any other questions, please call Renee at 402-471-4701.

FEDERAL UNIVERSAL SERVICE FEES

Effective January 1, 2005, the Federal Universal Service Charge contribution factor will increase from 8.9% to 10.7 %. This factor changes from time-to-time based on the needs of the Federal Universal Service Fund. The Federal Communications Commission and Congress developed the Federal Universal Service Fund to ensure that all consumers have access to telecommunications services at reasonable prices. The fund also assists low-income, schools, libraries and rural health care.

This charge is applied by the telephone companies only to interstate services. If you have any questions, please call our office at 402-471-2761.

2005 NEBRASKA STATE GOVERNMENT DIRECTORIES

The 2005 Nebraska State Government Directory has gone to print. Thank you to everyone for the directory updates and clarifications. Each agency will be receiving their new directories in Early March. Current information that will be printed in the 2005 Nebraska State Government Directory is available on the Internet at http://www.state.ne.us then select Your Government.

MALWARE or “malicious software"

Introduction

Along with viruses, one of the biggest threats to computer users on the Internet today is malware. It can hijack your browser, redirect your search attempts, serve up nasty pop-up ads, track what web sites you visit, among other problems. Malware programs are usually poorly-programmed and can cause your computer to become unbearably slow and unstable in addition to all the other havoc they wreak. Many of them will reinstall themselves even after you think you have removed them, or hide themselves deep within Windows, making them very difficult to clean. Although also considered to be malware, programs such as viruses, worms, trojans, and everything else generally detected by anti-virus software will not be discussed here, and the use of the word malware will only explicitly refer to software that fits in the categories listed below.

You can get infected by malware in several ways. Malware often comes bundled with other programs (Kazaa, iMesh, and other file sharing programs seem to be the biggest bundlers). These malware programs usually pop-up ads, sending revenue from the ads to the program's authors. Others are installed from websites, pretending to be software needed to view the website. Still others, most notably some of the CoolWebSearch variants, install themselves through holes in Internet Explorer like a virus would, requiring you to do nothing but visit the wrong web page to get infected.

The vast majority, however, must be installed by the user. Unfortunately, getting infected with malware is usually much easier than getting rid of it, and once you get malware on your computer it tends to multiply.

Malware prevention

The easiest way to deal with malware is to not get it in the first place. A little bit of common sense helps, but experience goes a lot farther. Experienced computer users, like it or not, hopefully possess the common sense that will let them avert potential disasters.

This edge can be acquired. The distinction is largely one of attitude, one which for lack of a better term I'll call "skeptical computing." We can examine this attitude and see how it reacts to common sources of trouble.

Skeptical computing breaks down into two parts. The first is having a minimum level of expectations for the working state of their computers. Operating systems for personal computers are extremely stable and reliable. Computers are no longer the cantankerous contraptions they were with Windows 9x or earlier versions of Mac OS. It's not acceptable to have a computer that runs at a snail's pace with advertisements flying up left and right. If things aren't working as they should, you can find a fix, whether through Google, anonymous forums, or your friendly neighborhood guru.

The second component of skeptical computing is maintaining a skeptical attitude while browsing the internet. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. Any "hot deals" had better come from a trusted source. If a warning starts flashing on your computer, look closely to see if it's a legitimate message from Windows or just an animated image in a web browser….. End of excerpt.

If you are experiencing problems with your computer, you can call our Desktop Support section, Steve Sheets at 471-0873. Their group works daily with removing these invasive programs putting you computer back in good working condition.

DESKTOP/SERVER SUPPORT SERVICE CALL COST

Effective January 3, 2005, the Division of Communications will be billing a minimum service call of $40.00 on all desktop support and server support calls. Please initiate all calls for this support through the IMS Help Desk - 402/471-4636. Once we have completed your request, we will be asking you to provide us with the appropriate billing information. We will have the recipient of the service call sign a Work Order Ticket. A copy of this will be left with you to reconcile with your monthly billing.

If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Division of Communications at 402/471-2761.