Java Vulnerability Alert - May 19, 2013
Recently, security bulletins have been issued on the internet about risks arising from potentially infected websites that exploit a security hole in all web browsers. Click to expand/collapse.

Infected websites can take advantage of vulnerabilities in the widely used web browser plug-in for the Java platform and pose risks for Internet users. To protect against attack from websites of unverified origin, we advise using two separate web browsers for different purposes.

  1. A designated browser with Java enabled, to access enterprise UBC systems and other trusted websites and
  2. Another browser set as the default browser with the Java plugin disabled for all other web sites e.g. Blogs, internet news, gaming sites, etc.

Instructions for disabling the Java plugin can be found here. If assistance is needed in disabling the plugin for either of these browsers, help can be obtained either from your designated IT support group, or the IT Service Centre staff can help either by phone, or via the Walk-In Support Centre in the UBC Bookstore.

More information is available at our FAQ page.

WebCT Vista

Due to recent exploitations of the Java platform, WebCT Vista users should be advised of potential security risks to their computers. It is currently recommended that users disable Java in their default internet browsers until the security issue has been resolved.

For more information regarding this Java security issue, please visit the Java Vulnerability Information for the UBC Community page.

WebCT Vista has been UBC's enterprise level Learning Management System providing a virtual course environment for instructors and students since 2007.  The product has reached the end of its lifecycle and UBC will fully transition to a new LMS product, Blackboard Learn, by June 2014. During this two year transition period some courses will continue to be offered in WebCT Vista.

WebCT Vista can be used to create online quizzes, store class notes, post grades, create a discussion forum, and provide/schedule assignments. Additional services such as iClicker and Wimba Collaboration Tools can be accessed through WebCT Vista.

The service is available to UBC faculty, staff, and students for courses, workshops, and communities of practice. UBC faculty can request a WebCT Vista section for each section of a course that they teach. Each section will be populated with student data from the Student Information System (SIS) and is automatically updated to reflect add/drops

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