What is happening?

Microsoft has released information regarding a serious vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange. This vulnerability impacts the document preview functionality in Outlook Web Access (OWA). OWA is the web based email service that many faculty and staff use to check their Longwood email from off campus and/or on mobile devices. As a result of the vulnerability, document preview functionality will be turned off in OWA.   PLEASE NOTE: THIS CHANGE DOES NOT IN ANY WAY IMPACT OUTLOOK FUNCTIONALITY ON CAMPUS.

When will this take place?

The document preview functionality in OWA will be turned off at 5 pm today, August 2, 2012.

What does this mean to me?

Currently, when you click on an attachment in OWA, document previewer automatically launches and displays the content of the attachment within a webpage. You are then given the option to open the document with the appropriate application (Microsoft Office Word, Excel, etc.). After 5 pm today, when  you click on an attachment in OWA, you will be given an option to open or save the file within an application. The content will not automatically be displayed. To view the file you will simply save it to a selected location on your computer and open it from that location.

What if I do not have Microsoft Office installed on the computer that I am trying to open the attachment on?

Microsoft office 2010 (PC) or 2011 (Macintosh) is available to all faculty and staff  for use on personally owned computers via the Microsoft Home User Program (HUP). Through this program you may purchase the Office download at a cost of $9.99. Backup media is also available for an additional cost of $13.00. If you are interested in taking advantage of this offer, please email helpdesk@longwood.edu to request further instructions.

What about my mobile device(s)?

Users who receive their Longwood email directly to their mobile device via Active Sync will NOT be affected by this issue. If you access your Longwood email via OWA on your mobile device, you may or may not be able to open attachments depending upon what software is installed on the device.

Will the document preview functionality within OWA be restored at some point?

Microsoft does not have a "patch" in place for this vulnerability at this time. It is our hope that Microsoft will respond quickly to this issue and that we will be able to reinstate this functionality in the future; however, it is uncertain at this time if or when that will take place.

We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. As always, if you have questions or need assistance please contact User Support Services at 434-395-4357 or email helpdesk@longwood.edu. Thank you!