Good afternoon, everyone.

Today I have some information about a different kind of “threat,” as well as a couple of other threats. I also want to tell you about non-threat and remind you about getting the older Microsoft Office versions updated as soon as possible.

Current Threat

• Copyright Infringement Notices
  • There have been notices sent regarding the possibility of unauthorized images on some of our UTIA websites.
  • The sender may vary, but one recent sender was COPYTRACK <proof[@]copytrack.com>.
  • This is a real company based in Germany that does copyright monitoring.
  • Companies providing downloadable images will pay COPYTRACK to scan the web for unauthorized use of any images they offer.
  • COPYTRACK will send a notice with a screenshot of the image, when it was uploaded, and will include aggressive or threatening, automated fee demands.
  • The problem is that COPYTRACK may find an image on a site, but they aren’t verifying the image and if it may have obtained from a completely different source.
  • If you receive such a notice, do not pay it and do not respond to the sender, but you will need to do some quick work based on any deadlines given.
  • If you paid for the image, you should have proof of that payment.
  • If the image was definitely free, always do a screenshot before downloading it so this will serve as proof of the site where you downloaded it and that it shows “free” in that screenshot.
  • If you receive a notice like this, you can forward it to me, and I will review it as quickly as possible to see if there are definitive signs of it being a scam.
  • If it is like this one from COPYTRACK I can direct you to someone in General Counsel who will know exactly how to handle it for you.
  • If you are a content manager and you have questions about an image you want to use, please submit a UTIA Website Help Request and someone from the Web Team can guide you through this.

• Text Messages
  • Scammers are sending more and more “wrong number” text messages these days.
  • Researchers at Malwarebytes confirm that this is to identify potential targets for future scams.
  • The sender varies greatly and so does the text message.
  • The texts appear to be harmless enough, asking about dinner plans, general work information, etc., but the scammer is hoping that recipients will reply back saying that the senders have the wrong number.
  • Unfortunately, by replying to the text the recipient has confirmed that their phone number is active, so it is marked for future scams.
  • And being polite, in this instance, is not a good thing because it will allow the scammers to deliberately exploit the recipient’s instinct to be helpful.
  • On the other hand, replying with an aggressive message may just get your number sold to even more scammers.
  • My best advice is to not reply at all to any text messages that seem to be a wrong number.
  • Delete the message and report as spam If your phone allows you to.

• Voting Registration Site
  • Those who want to register to vote need to take extra caution right now.
  • There have been several news stories about votesafe.org and how is it being used.
  • vote.org is a nonpartisan non-profit U.S. organization dedicated to increasing the number of registered voters and voter participation.
  • votesafe.org, funded by a specific political organization,claims to do the same but has received a lot of criticism because it collects users’ personally identifiable information although it does not actually register them to vote.
  • Many of the complaints also state that the votesafe site provides inaccurate information and that the site is harvesting and selling voter data.

Current Non-Threat

• McLean & Company Survey (email)
  • On 09/17, an email went out from the UT System Office of the President.
  • This email was to inform UT faculty and staff that it is time for the 2026 annual staff engagement survey.
  • The survey was sent on 09/23 by McLean & Company <survey[at]mcleanco.com>.
  • The subject is Please Respond: University of Tennessee Employee Survey.
  • The survey will remain open through 10/07 at 11:45pm EDT.
  • The email may appear in a folder other than your Inbox (possibly in Promotions?), so you may need to look for it.

Important Information

• Upcoming Microsoft End of Support Dates
  • If you are running any of these apps, please make sure you upgrade them before the support comes to an end.
    • Microsoft Publisher – 10/01/2026 (access ends for Microsoft 365 subscribers)
    • Office LTSC 2021 – 10/13/2026 (Office LTSC 2019 reached the end of support last year!)
    • Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2 – 10/13/2026 (this is the final year for paid Extended Security Updates)
    • Windows Server 2016 – 1/12/2027 (this is the final date for paid Extended Support)
  • If you are using Office LTSC 2021 (or 2019!), it MUST be updated.
    • UT highly recommends that you use Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise over Office LTSC 2024 and 2026 so that you can take advantage of the special features that allow for more collaboration, better productivity, and consistency across the UT System.
    • As a reminder you can check for the version of Outlook you are using by clicking on File (top left), then Office Account (bottom left), then you should hopefully see “Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise” on the right side.
    • If you do not see this, then look for “About Outlook” on the right side to see what the version is.
    • If you see that you need to be updated to Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, please call the OIT HelpDesk at (865) 974-9900 and they will assign a ticket to the appropriate IT support group.
    • However, if you are with CVM, please contact CVM Computer Support, as they have their own ticketing system.
    • And please remember it is very important to always have the most up to date versions of all apps.
  • End of Support means:
    • No security patches;
    • No updates;
    • No technical help; and
    • No connections to Cloud services like Microsoft 365.

• UT’s Guidance Chart for Using AI Tools
  • UT has added a web page with a matrix clarifying where UT users may input University data using AI tools.
  • The matrix shows data by its classification, then shows the only AI tools that are approved by UT for inputting that type of data.
  • There are also examples and clarifications included.
  • Please remember that our data is critical to what we do and we must protect it so don’t use AI tools except as listed on this matrix.
  • You can find the matrix at Guidance Chart for Using AI Tools | Office of Innovative Technologies.
  • Please bookmark this page and refer to it often, as the information is subject to change often as the technologies change.

Thank you for all you do to protect the Institute, its data, students, employees, clients, and yourself. When you have questions, concerns, or comments please don’t hesitate to let me know. Please remember that I am always here to help you!

Sandy

Important Note: Thank you so much for sharing these e-newsletters with family, friends, clients, students, and anyone else who may benefit from the information. I would like to stress that you should keep your students in mind, as non-employee students will not get this information without someone sharing. If anyone has an email group for students who are not employees of your department, please let me know what that address is, and I can include it. I do this as a blind copy so student names and addresses will not show up!