IT Trends :: Thursday, July 27, 2006

  • 07/26/06

IT News

Hackers Break Into NU Admissions, Financial Aid Computers

There's no proof the hackers obtained sensitive information or even knew the targeted computers held Social Security numbers, but Northwestern University is treating the situation with extra precaution. Via e-mail and letters, 17,000 students and applicants are being notified that their personal data may have been exposed in the May attacks… (Chicago Sun-Times)

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How Music to the Ears Is Deafening for the MP3 Generation

Maybe college students don't crank up the volume for podcast lectures as much as they do for rock songs, but Deafness Research UK is concerned about MP3 players and ear health. The charity's chief executive says, "We don't want the MP3 generation to go deaf in their 30s or 40s." There's also an interesting graphic that shows MP3 player "max" volume at a higher decibel rate that the sound of a jet aircraft taking off… (The Times)

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Business Revolutionaries Learn Diplomacy's Value

Blackboard Inc., an online learning software company, has a market value of $800 million. In this article, the company's co-founder (now president and chief executive) asks, "How long have people been predicting that higher education was going to experience fundamental change or fall apart?" He g'es on to say Blackboard d'esn't "aim to 'replace' the classroom. We're not looking to 'revolutionize' education. We help schools deliver more effectively what they are good at already."... (New York Times)

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Best Electronic Communication Practices in FET to Be Explored

This August, college and university managers and MCD personnel will gather for the Electronic Communication Convention (ECC). Presenters will discuss technology trends in higher education, including blogs, electronic communication, online marketing, podcasting, virtual communities, and wikis… (Bizcommunity.com)

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Featured

  • row of students using computers in a library

    A Return to Openness: Apereo Examines Sustainability in Open Source

    Surprisingly, on many of our campuses, even the IT leadership responsible for the lion's share of technology deployments doesn't realize the extent to which the institution is dependent on open source. And that lack of awareness can be a threat to campuses.

  • abstract pattern of cybersecurity, ai and cloud imagery

    OpenAI Report Identifies Malicious Use of AI in Cloud-Based Cyber Threats

    A report from OpenAI identifies the misuse of artificial intelligence in cybercrime, social engineering, and influence operations, particularly those targeting or operating through cloud infrastructure. In "Disrupting Malicious Uses of AI: June 2025," the company outlines how threat actors are weaponizing large language models for malicious ends — and how OpenAI is pushing back.

  • cloud icon with a padlock overlay set against a digital background featuring binary code and network nodes

    New Cloud Security Auditing Tool Utilizes AI to Validate Providers' Security Assessments

    The Cloud Security Alliance has announced a new artificial intelligence-powered system that automates the validation of cloud service providers' (CSPs) security assessments, aiming to improve transparency and trust across the cloud computing landscape.

  • geometric grid of colorful faculty silhouettes using laptops

    Top 3 Faculty Uses of Gen AI

    A new report from Anthropic provides insights into how higher education faculty are using generative AI, both in and out of the classroom.