Skiing and snowboarding at Seven Springs. Ice skating at PPG Place. Building snowmen or going sledding in the backyard. … Or shoveling the sidewalk, clearing off the car, and praying for roads that aren’t ‘slippy’.

Ah, the thrill of finals week—a rollercoaster of cramming, late-night study sessions, and an alarming spike in caffeine consumption. But fear not! Students can prepare for the final stretch using an array of cutting-edge technological resources that can greatly enhance efficiency and effectiveness. So stop worrying and start preparing!

At the University of Pittsburgh, technology isn’t just about making tasks easier—it’s about making them accessible to everyone. Copilot for Microsoft 365 (M365), now available for faculty and staff at Pitt, takes this mission to the next level.

The Setting:Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday are all happening in the next week. Freshly recovered from their Thanksgiving food coma, people are logging on or heading out to take advantage of great deals on gifts for their kids, partners, friends, and family.

As Thanksgiving rolls around, it's natural to start reflecting on all the things we’re grateful for, including the tech that helps us get through life a little easier. Whether it’s powering through late-night study sessions, connecting with family and friends, or just saving time, some standout tools make being a student, faculty, or staff member at Pitt that much better.

November is National Career Development Month, making it the perfect time to focus on building your professional skills and connections. As you reflect on your career, it’s important to adopt a holistic perspective.

This election season has been intense, sparking heightened conversations on campus and across social media platforms. While staying informed is important, protecting your mental health and well-being is equally essential.

At the University of Pittsburgh and in technology, innovation is a way of life. Recently, Pitt IT partnered with the Office of Budget Operations (OBO) within the Controller’s Office to transform their annual Target Letter process, which establishes budget targets for each University unit.

Phishing attacks can come in various forms—emails, texts, or social media messages. Click, respond, or otherwise give your personal information to hacker, and your system, data, and money are in big trouble. A successful phish can even give a bad actor access to Pitt systems and data, potentially risking the whole University and its students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners! But you can stop phishing attempts before they can do you any harm. Learn to spot the signs of a phishing attack and know what to do if you get one.

Even with strong, unique passwords for every account — and let’s face it, many people just rotate through a handful of passwords while using standard security questions — hackers manage to break into people’s accounts. That's where Multifactor Authentication (MFA) steps in as your digital sidekick, adding an extra layer of security to protect your accounts.

One of the easiest ways to boost your cybersecurity is to keep your software and apps updated. Every day, developers are looking for clues that hackers are trying to break into their systems. They are searching for holes where cybercriminals could sneak in, even if they’ve never been breached before. They then release updates to fix these issues and keep the bad actors out. All you have to do is install the latest updates for your devices, software, and apps — including web browsers — to get the latest protections.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which is a great time to level up your security game! While we’re all familiar with the classic advice to "create unique and strong passwords," keeping track of all those passwords is a whole other story. Who can remember a different 20-character string of letters, numbers, and symbols for every account? Enter the password manager: your new security cheat code.

Think of cybersecurity as a skill only for tech pros? Think again. As technology becomes more integrated into all aspects of our lives, cybersecurity is an increasingly important consideration in most careers across the job market.  With Cybersecurity Awareness Month (October) right around the corner, here’s a look at how cybersecurity applies to different fields.

Let’s be real — emailing professors or colleagues can feel like throwing a paper airplane into an abyss. Crafting a clear, professional, and respectful email can help ensure that people read and respond to your messages, while poor email etiquette can negatively impact relationships with colleagues and clients according to a study by the Journal of Business and Technical Communication. Fear not! Here’s a crash course on how to master the art of email etiquette.

Gotta love technology. It lets us study, meet, or work wherever we happen to be – whether it’s on campus, in a public space, or at home! Hybrid and remote environments are the norm for many people these days. But while it offers next-level convenience, it is crucial to ensure your remote setup is optimized for productivity and security. Here are five essential steps for working off-site.

Happy fall Panthers! My name is Grace Brignola, and I am a rising Junior studying Marketing and Business Information Systems here at Pitt. I serve as a Tech Ambassador for the University, which gives me the opportunity and privilege to train and promote all our technology resources to current students.

Welcome to the University of Pittsburgh, Panthers! As you settle into campus life, knowing where to find the tech resources that will support your academic journey is essential. Here’s a guide to ensure you’re fully prepared and connected during your time at Pitt.

In an era where digital security is paramount, managing passwords and sensitive information can often be a daunting task. For Sam Hayes, a student at the University of Pittsburgh, LastPass has emerged as a favorite piece of technology offered through Pitt's IT service. In a recent interview, Sam shared insights into how LastPass has transformed his approach to digital security and organization.

Navigating the daily hustle and bustle of life as a commuter can be overwhelming. With the constant movement between home, campus, and back again, finding a space that offers both comfort and utility is a blessing. At the University of Pittsburgh, one such sanctuary exists—the computer lab. For many commuters, this spot is not just a place to work, but a haven where they can recharge both their devices and their spirits.

Taking notes… we all need them. From classes or meetings, to projects and research, summarizing content and action items is important for retention, review, and collaboration. Some people are nuts for handwriting notes, while others are faster typing. Either way, you may find yourself scrolling through pages upon pages of notes or hastily switching between tabs and notebooks to find what you need. It makes studying, working, brainstorming, and project organization stressful and overwhelming.

Are you struggling to keep track of your assignments, projects, or group work? Microsoft Planner, available to all University of Pittsburgh students, faculty, and staff as part of the Microsoft 365 plan, might be the solution you've been looking for. Keep reading to learn more!

The University of Pittsburgh manages a massive $1.2 billion in research and other externally sponsored activities annually, comprising nearly 40% of Pitt’s total operating revenues and sustaining impactful increases of ~$350 million per year since 2018.

As an instructor, you play a crucial role in shaping the academic experience of your students. One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is Canvas, the learning management system used at Pitt. A Canvas course can significantly enhance student engagement and learning outcomes when designed effectively. It can also help you to avoid the hassle of unnecessary questions and misunderstandings.

The move or return to campus can feel overwhelming. But with a little planning, your move-in can be a lot easier. Use our IT Tasks timeline checklist to make sure you get connected.

Whether you're a new student or returning for another year, having the right apps on your phone and computer can make your life at Pitt a lot easier. Here’s a rundown of the essential apps you should download now to hit the ground running.