The Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics - within the Faculty of Technical Chemistry, opens an external URL in a new window -  bridges different matters in Chemistry, Technology, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, Materials Science, Bioanalytics, Electrochemistry and Environmental Chemistry and unifies basic with applied sciences & technologies within one institution, which is a unique combination found in Central and Eastern Europe.

The scientific focus of the institute is on one hand development of analytical strategies and instrumentation (e.g. (bio)sensors, omics-techniques, mass spectrometry, imaging techniques, ultra trace separation and detection techniques on the elemental as well as molecular level). On the other hand the focus is related to technology of speciality materials, ranging from metals, less common metals, high performance ceramics, thin films and composites to biomedical materials, as well as energy storage and conversion devices in connection with electrochemical technologies. The development of powerful analytic techniques for structure elucidation as well as for environmental technologies is another focus of research within the institute.

The strength of the institute lies in the remarkable combination of industrially driven applied research and development with an exceptional range of analytical, chemical and structural characterization methods, represented by a large pool of "high-end" scientific equipment. As an example, the institutes has in-house access to an array of excellent analytical instruments pooled in the X-ray Center, opens in new window and Analytical Instrumentation Center, opens in new window allowing competitive research in a large number of application fields (e.g. ranging from inorganic metallic materials to biological tissues).

The Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics is organized in five research divisions and consists of 12 research groups headed by international renown scientists and high potential young scientists.

164-01

Imaging and Instrumental analytical chemistry

164-02

Environmental analytics, Process analytics and Sensors

164-03

Chemical Technologies

164-04

Technical Electrochemistry

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Structural Chemistry

Update, patch, upgrade or bugfix - what is it?

and why we should not postpone them....

At the latest when our computer restarts by itself, we realize that we should have had the new update installed a long time ago. As a user of Microsoft products you might expect that such an update can take longer. Occasionally, it also causes various applications to no longer work the way you're used to (IOS updates probably cause problems as well). However - I assume - not to the same extent as Windows updates. I'm not at home in the Apple world). That is why we often tend to comply with this request to reboot and install at the latest possible time. However, from an information security perspective, this is quite risky. Because regardless of whether it's the operating system of a laptop, PC, router, smart TV and other (supposedly) smart devices, they are only best protected against external attacks if the systems are up to date.

When patching, IT companies eliminate security gaps - also known as bugs - or add functions. This does not require the device or software to be rebuilt. Security vulnerabilities are weak points in a program that can be used by potential attackers, e.g. to introduce malicious programs. As a result, the attackers can take control of your systems (the latest security vulnerabilities are published by the BSI, among others: https://www.bsi.bund.de/DE/Themen/Unternehmen-und-Organisationen/Cyber-Sicherheitslage/Technische-Sicherheitshinweise-und-Warnungen/Cyber-Sicherheitswarnungen/cyber-sicherheitswarnungen_node.html, opens an external URL in a new window). On so-called "patch days" (usually monthly), the manufacturers provide updates that are then usually executed automatically on the end devices. By installing these updates, the devices are well protected against external attacks. That is why it is important to run these updates as soon as possible.

Under Windows 10, the current update status can be checked via the "Check for updates" application. In the best case, your own computer is up to date. This means that all known vulnerabilities have been fixed. If you are missing updates, I recommend that you install them as soon as possible.

The "Advanced options" button should also be used to ensure that all updates provided by Microsoft are installed and corresponding notifications are displayed.

If you use an Android smartphone, you will find the menu item "Security" (or "Biometrics and security") under the device settings. There you can check for new updates and have them installed if necessary.

Feel free to leave questions and suggestions about the topic in the comments here at coLab. I will be happy to respond to them.

If you use a TU.it device, updates and patches are installed automatically. More information can be found under the service "TUclient" at the following link: https://www.it.tuwien.ac.at/en/services/workstation-support/tuclient.