What is Ransomware?
Ransomware is computer malware that encrypts the files on your PC, making them (and often your whole computer) unusable. It may also encrypt files on network drives that you have access to, like your N: drive. You regain access to the files by paying a ransom to receive a decryption key. In 2016, Ransomware was estimated to be a $1 Billion business.
How does my computer get ransomware?
Commonly, your computer can be infected with ransomware when you click on a link that allows the program to load. Usually, it’s in a targeted phishing email, but sometimes attackers can secretly load malware onto web pages or even advertisements on legitimate webpages.
How do I know if my computer is infected?
You will see a pop-up screen instructing you to go to a webpage or, more likely, to call a phone number. Yes, the bad guys have call centers. You may also get “file not found” messages for files that you know exist, or you may see files with their names or file types (.docx, .xlsx, etc.) changed.
What do I do if my FIT computer gets infected?
- Do NOT contact the attacker or pay the ransom. You will be giving your credit card information to criminals.
- Take as many notes and screenshots as you can within 3 minutes to help you remember what happened.
- Remove your computer from the network; unplug the ethernet cable and turn off WiFi. Do not shut it off.
- Contact TechHelp
How do I prevent ransomware?
While you can’t prevent this threat entirely because cybercriminals continually think up new schemes, there are some things you can do to significantly reduce the risk and impact of being infected.
- Follow all the tips on the IT for FIT Cybersafe page and don’t click on links or emails that are from strange people or that don’t make sense.
- Don’t store FIT work on your computer’s local drive. Use the N: drive, Google Drive, or a departmental share. The N: drive is backed up, and if the files become encrypted, IT can get them back. If your local drive becomes encrypted, the files are irretrievable.
- On your personal computer, regularly back up your files to a USB drive that you only attach to the computer when you’re taking a backup, or use a cloud-based backup service.
- We keep your anti-virus software current.
- We are limiting the number of individuals with administrative rights. Ransomware often is unable to load if the user is not signed in as an administrator.
Following a few simple guidelines can help make FIT Cybersafe.
The messages below appear because OS X 10.8 and higher by default block the installation of applications that are not from the Mac App Store or created by identified developers.

However, if you know the software you are installing is safe you can follow the steps below to complete the installation: Hold the Ctrl Key down and click on the software you would like to open. Then select Open from the drop-down menu that appears.
The example below shows how to perform these steps for Sophos Anti-Virus
- Hold the Control key and click on Sophos Anti-Virus.mpkg. Select Open.

2. Click Open

Most smartphones and tablets with an active data plan from a carrier can work as mobile hotspots. A mobile hotspot provides a secure internet connection for other devices through WiFi, Bluetooth, or a USB cable.
Important Consideration
Every device you connect, or tether, uses data from your plan. Check your data plan, not all service providers allow you to use your phone as a hotspot, and for those that do, you must know how mobile hotspot use impacts your data plan.
Set up instructions
When you connect your LinkedIn account, only your learning activity and profile information (name, title, profile photo) are shared with FIT LinkedIn Learning account administrators.
To begin, go to https://www.linkedin.com/learning and click the “Sign in” button in the top right hand corner of the page.

Enter your FIT email address and click the “Continue” button.

FIT requires you to authenticate with your FIT login credentials. Click the “Sign in with Single Sign-On”.

Enter your FIT username and password, then click “Sign In” button.

Next, you’ll be prompted to connect your personal LinkedIn account, or continue without connecting an account. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account but wish to create one, click “Connect my LinkedIn account” and on the next page click “Join now”.
If you do not want to connect your account, follow our instructions, How to create a separate LinkedIn Learning account.

You will be directed to the welcome screen. Click the “Sounds Good” to continue. (Note: this screen may look different for you)

Select the skills that are of most interest to you. As you select skill categories, similar skills will populate that you may also be interested in. You will be able to click continue after you select at least three.

Set a weekly learning goal if you want reminders to continue learning each week, or skip the prompt – you can set a weekly goal later, if you wish.

You’re all set, click the “Start Learning” button and begin watching courses and start learning!

1. Log in to the Online Directory
Method 1: Go directly to the online directory website at https://directory.fitnyc.edu log in with your FIT username and password.
Method 2: Log in to MyFIT with your FIT username and password. Select the “Web Resources” page and then select “FIT Phone Directory” under FIT Web Resources.
2. Use search fields to find FIT Employees
*Student data is not included in search results.
You do not need to complete all the fields to search for an FIT Employee; however, entering more fields may reduce search results.
Click Search

Note:
The data for the New Online Directory is pulled from FIT records; if there is information that needs to be corrected please follow our instructions on how to request corrections to the Online Directory.
An email signature is text, like your contact information or a favorite quote, that’s automatically added at the end of Gmail messages as a footer.
Visit Google’s Help Center to learn how to create multiple signatures.
What is Google Meet
Google Meet is available to enrolled students, staff, and faculty members at FIT. The in-browser video application can connect participants via computer, smartphones and tablets, and via dial-in numbers for telephone access. Recording to Google Drive and live closed captioning is also available in each session.
How to host a meeting
Visit meet.google.com and sign-in with your FIT email credentials.
In Google Calendar, quickly add video conferencing with Google Meet to your meeting invitations. Follow the latest instructions from Google at https://support.google.com/meet/answer/9302870
How to learn more about hosting and attending online meetings
Visit Google’s Learning Center page for Google Meet
How to request additional IT support
For help troubleshooting or to request 1:1 online appointments, open a ticket at TechHelp.fitnyc.edu
If a student is logged into the computer that should not be part of the class that you are about to start teaching inside FIT Remote Labs, you can log off the student by using Insight.
On a Windows computer in the task panel, left click the Insight icon (small owl icon).
On a Mac computer the Insight icon is located on the dock.


The console will open and you will see all of the computers in the classroom. At the bottom of each screen box, it displays the username of the person who is logged in. If no one is logged in, it will say “Not Logged In”.

Click on the computer of the user that you want to log off in order to select it. It will be highlighted in red.
Tech Tip: to access multiple computers, hold Control to select multiple computers.
Navigate to the Administer toolbar and select “Log Off Student”
Important: DO NOT select “Shutdown Student” because you will turn off the workstation and it will be inaccessible until it is physically powered back on.

Click Yes to proceed with the Log Off.

After you log the users off. You will need to refresh the screen in order to see the updates. Navigate to the “View” toolbar and click “Refresh”.

Choose Authentication Method
If you have not completed the DUO enrollment process, please follow our instructions on How to enroll in DUO
After you enroll in Duo, each time you access FIT Remote Labs you will be presented with the screen to choose an authentication method; Send Me a Push, Call Me, or Enter a Passcode.
Method/Instructions |
Description |
Duo Push |
Pushes a login request to your phone or tablet (if you have Duo Mobile installed and activated on your iOS, Android, or Windows Phone device). Just review the request and tap Approve to log in. |
Call Me |
Authenticate via phone callback. |
Enter a Passcode
|
Log in using a passcode, either generated with Duo Mobile, sent via SMS, generated by your hardware token or provided by an administrator. Click Send codes to get a new batch of passcodes texted to your phone. |
“Send Me a Push”
- Open the Duo Mobile on your device. If you have not installed Duo Mobile, please visit How to install Duo Mobile.
- If Login Request does not automatically appear, click “Request Waiting. Tap to Respond..” Click “Approve” and return to FIT Remote Labs on your computer.


“Call Me”
- If you selected, “Call Me” you will get a call from the FIT phone number of 212-217-7999. Please follow the prompts. Then return to FIT Remote Labs on your computer.
“Enter a Passcode”
- Open the Duo Mobile on your device. If you have not installed Duo Mobile, please visit How to install Duo Mobile.
2. Enter Passcode displayed in Duo Mobile. Then return to FIT Remote Labs.
Alternately, if you enrolled a mobile phone number you can have passcodes sent to your phone. Messaging and data rates may apply.
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