About 2,100 managed systems in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA) now have extra protection from malicious websites thanks to the Safe Computing Website Checker developed by Information Assurance (IA). The extension protects people from some types of malicious websites when browsing the web with Chrome.
“Utilizing Group Policy Management (GPO) we have deployed this extension to any LSA Windows 10 system connecting to Active Directory,” said Bob Pelcher, data security analyst, LSA. “LSA is pleased with the additional layer of security this extension provides and ease of installation.”
“The extension helps us reduce the effectiveness of phishing and other attempts to trick people into revealing their passwords,” said Matt Coons, IA incident responder. The extension:
- Warns you when you are about to visit malicious websites masquerading as the U-M Weblogin page.
- Warns you when you are about to visit other websites that have been identified by U-M IT security staff as significant threats targeting the U-M community.
- Automatically reports malicious web pages to U-M IT security staff so that they can take action to further protect the U-M community.
- Does not identify individuals who are using the extension when reporting malicious sites.
- Does not interfere with everyday web browsing activity.
The Chrome extension is included on all MiWorkspace workstations. Look for the yellow check mark in a blue circle at the far right of your Chrome URL bar that indicates its presence.
IA is looking to roll the extension out to additional units. Unit IT staff who manage machines with Chrome installed can add the extension to their installation. Members of the U-M community who do not already have the extension can install it themselves (installation instructions).
Interns in the Information and Technology Services (ITS) Intern Program developed and fine-tuned the extension, working with IA staff. Jacob Rickerd created the extension in 2016, with interns Adam Flickema and Tyler Tran contributing in 2017-18.
