For our Mac users, keeping your macOS version up to date is essential. Every patch release for macOS contains critical security patches, meaning that an unpatched macOS contains known, critical vulnerabilities that put your data and identity—and our campus-wide cybersafety—at risk.
Yet, looking across the fleet of Macs managed by LS IT shows that more than 75% of our Macs are running an outdated, vulnerable version of macOS.
Starting on 11/21, LS IT will be implementing Nudge, a tool to prompt Mac users to install system updates within 7 days from when Apple releases the update. You can defer the update up to the 7-day deadline. with more frequent reminders as the deadline approaches.
Nudge will only prompt for minor version updates, such as from macOS 12.5 to 12.6 or 12.6 to 12.6.1. Nudge will not prompt for major version updates, such as from macOS Monterey 12 to macOS Ventura 13.
In cases where the Nudge approach may cause problems, such as computers attached to scientific instruments or used in research workflows that require a specific OS version, please contact the LS IT service desk to discuss an exception to Nudge. Exceptions follow the campus Cybersafety Exceptions process.
We know that the patching treadmill can be exhausting. We hope that the Nudge approach strikes a reasonable balance between giving you the freedom to apply updates at a time that's convenient for you and keeping our fleet of Macs secure and in compliance with UC policies.
Zoom Large Meeting and Webinar Licenses
A standard UC Davis Zoom account allows for up to 300 participants in a meeting.
That limit is fine for the vast majority of meetings, but occasionally you may need to host a larger meetings.
The campus maintains a pool of "loaner" Zoom licenses, including Large Meeting and Webinar licenses, that you can borrow from when the need arises.
Large Meeting licenses are available to enable either up to 500 or 1,000 participants, and they work exactly like a standard Zoom meeting.
Webinar licenses are available to enable 500, 1,000, or 3,000 participants. Webinars limit the interaction for regular participants to chat and Q&A tools—participants other than the host and designated panelists cannot interact over voice or video.
To reserve a Large Meeting or Zoom license, just visit the UC Davis Service Hub. We recommend reserving your license as early as possible, as there the pool of available licenses is limited.
If you are planning to purchase software or IT services, we highly recommend that you contact LS IT first rather than submitting your request to the Information Security Office. We can typically save you weeks or months of time. Just email the service desk at lshelp@ucdavis.edu to start the process.
We continue to experience the effects of global supply chain delays on monitors, printers, some computers, and other equipment. In many cases, items we order today are not shipping for several weeks—and sometimes longer. Even when vendors provide an estimated ship date, we are frequently seeing those dates slip by weeks or months. Please plan ahead by ordering as soon as possible, and please be patient.
UC Davis Phish Bowl
The UC Davis Phish Bowl is a fast place to check whether a suspicious email you've received is phishing or legitimate.
Letters and Science IT
Monday - Friday 7:30AM - 6:00PM
530-752-8800 lshelp@ucdavis.edu
2235 Social Sciences & Humanities
