Microsoft says that they will no longer support Windows XP starting on April 8, 2014.  See:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/enterprise/endofsupport.aspx

for more information.  Some IT Security people expect that there are malicious people waiting for that date to take advantage of Windows XP computers.  Windows XP should not be used on networks after the support ends.

University owned computers can be upgraded with software available at:

https://microsoft.utoronto.ca/

For additional information about the new certificate for the UofT wireless system please see:

http://help.ic.utoronto.ca/solution_id_1942.html

Because the server certificate for the UofT and eduroam wireless networks here at the University are being renewed you will be asked to accept/verify this new certificate the first time you connect after it is installed (on March 10, 2014).  This should only happen once per wireless device.

Here is the message about this that was posted by the  Academic and Collaborative Technologies Support Manager on Blackboard:

On Monday, March 10th, the security certificate for the University’s wireless authentication server will be renewed.

When attempting to connect to the UofT or eduroam networks after this update, you will be prompted to accept or verify the new certificate. Once you accept the new certificate, your wireless device will save the setting and connect automatically thereafter.

For campus wireless access information, please visit the Information Common website at http://help.ic.utoronto.ca/content/20/704/en/wireless-access.html

It is University policy that any personal and other confidential information that is outside our secure server environment with restricted user rights must be protected with properly implemented encryption.  This means that any personal desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, USB keys, etc. must not have personal or other confidential information unless they are securely encrypted.  This can help prevent any data breaches caused by lost/stolen hardware, although any system with personal and other confidential information must also be kept secure with restricted access, up-to-date software (including the OS), etc.

There are resources describing encryption and what types of information must be protected at: http://encrypt.utoronto.ca

If you have any questions please send email to requests@math.toronto.edu