Category Archives: Special News

What else you should and shouldn’t do

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  • Change your password regularly.
  • Report phishing messages you receive in the Gmail menu with “Report Phishing”
  • Don’t forward phishing messages to anyone. Friends and colleagues can fall victim too.
  • Consider using Gmail’s mobile apps on iPhone and Android instead of the provided mail apps.  Gmail’s app presents warnings about suspicious messages and allows you to report phishing messages.
  • Don’t click on links or download attachments from messages you are not expecting.

Remember, real Simmons sites start with “idp.simmons.edu!”

What we’ll be doing

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Simmons Technology continues to review recent incidents and take actions that make our infrastructure safer and less appealing to cybercriminals but there isn’t much we can do if you give away your credentials online.  In an effort to make our login process more secure, we will be doing the following in the near future:

  • Removing DUO mobile passcode, phone callback, and SMS passcode features from Sharkpass/DUO.  Logging in will require utilizing a “Push” to your mobile device.  
  • For those unable to use the DUO Push notification on their mobile app, hardware tokens and security keys will be made available.
  • Implementing a mandatory password reset for the community.  

We realize these measures will cause a small change in the way some of us work and utilize Simmons resources.  We are confident that after a brief adjustment, all will be able to adapt and aid in helping create a safer online environment.  Please stay tuned for more information about these upcoming information security changes.  And please reach out to me or the Technology Service Desk ([email protected] or 617-521-2222) with any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

David Bruce
Vice President, CIO
Simmons University

Wireless Network Performance Improvements

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Dear Simmons Community:

The return to a campus under construction has introduced some challenges as we learn to adjust temporarily to a higher density environment. As more people congregate, live, and learn in different spaces, our wireless network is struggling to adapt. We have taken steps to configure our wireless network to offer better connectivity and further enhancements are in progress. It is important for Technology to know where and when issues are occurring. You may do this quickly by reporting problems to the Service Desk via our Wireless Network Support form.

Faculty and staff can help improve wireless connectivity for others by utilizing their wired network connections when at their desks. This will also provide the best network experience. Those needing assistance connecting their Simmons laptops to the wired network should contact the Service Desk via our General Support form, or by calling 617-521-2222.

Thank you for your assistance,

David Bruce

Working Remotely: Resources for Staff

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Simmons Technology has pulled together a list of resources and tools that can help you work remotely efficiently and collaboratively:
https://servicedesk.simmons.edu/articles/?action=showEntry&data=6740

The resource page includes links to working with voicemail remotely, using twinning to forward your calls, Zoom tutorials, and other resources that we think will be useful to you. Whenever possible, we have included links to training and help materials.

The Service Desk is also making extended support hours available for phone support. You can find that and other useful information available on our website, https://servicedesk.simmons.edu.