News

Dell confirmed that its SupportAssist software is causing blue-screen crashes on some Windows systems following a wave of user reports about random reboots affecting Dell devices since Friday.

For non-Intuned systems, a BigFix fixlet to remove Dell Support Assist will be automatically applied to Metro systems. A restart may be required.

For Intuned systems, all Metro systems have had a remediation script applied that will remove Dell Support Assist. A restart may be required.

Dear member of the UC Davis community, 

Starting at approximately 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2026, Canvas, UC Davis’ primary learning management system, became unavailable following a global cybersecurity incident affecting its vendor, Instructure. As of 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, Canvas remains unavailable. This is a vendor-driven cybersecurity incident affecting multiple institutions globally.

Users with iPhones or iPads are strongly advised to install the latest available iOS or iPadOS updates as soon as possible.

Security researchers have identified a serious iOS exploit chain known as DarkSword that can allow attackers to silently access data on vulnerable devices. The exploit can be triggered simply by visiting a compromised website and does not require the user to click on links, download files, or approve permissions.

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10, Office 2016, and Office 2019 on October 14, 2025. After this date, these products will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support, posing a security risk to your research and personal data. We strongly advise upgrading to newer versions, such as Windows 11 and Office 365, to ensure ongoing security and support. Upgrades to Windows 11 and Office 365 are provided at no additional cost to university systems within LAWR, ETOX, and WFCB, as a result of our purchase into the Microsoft Campus and School Agreement (CASA).

On Tuesday, May 27, 2025, central campus IT (IET) will be disabling non-SSO authentication to Zoom, and you will no longer be able to use a separate password to access Zoom at UC Davis.You will need to use single sign-on (or SSO, circled in the screenshot below) to log in to Zoom whether you use the Zoom mobile or desktop app or Zoom on the web (https://ucdavis.zoom.us/). This is the same process as logging into other UC Davis services, such as email or Canvas.

In recent weeks, online attackers have increasingly targeted UC staff with attempts to steal from them by changing their direct deposit information in UCPath. Dozens of UC employees have fallen victim to these attacks, which use very sophisticated tactics, including stealing usernames and passwords via credible-looking phony websites and spoofing help desks via phone calls and text messages.

We’re transitioning to Trellix HX for antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR). This UC-approved tool must be installed on all UC-owned devices by May 2025.<https://iet.ucdavis.edu/uc-cybersecurity-mandate-2025-information-security-investment-plan> Here’s what you need to know: 

* New Computers: Trellix will be installed on new devices starting in early February. 

Emails from O365 UC Davis users are failing to anyone not on O365. We seem to be on the universal block list, often due to a compromised account spamming the world. Stay tuned at

https://status.ucdavis.edu

Security issue with a third party and campus has suspended 3600 accounts as a protective measure. Please call IT Express at 530-754-4357 to activate your account. This will include a passphrase change.

Windows 7 will no longer be allowed on the campus network after January 14, 2020. Microsoft will stop supporting Windows 7 with security updates after that day. If you desperately need to keep Windows 7, please contact [email protected] for information on exceptions and paying to extend support.

This also applies to server versions Windows 2008 and Windows 2008 R2.