Tag Archives: Information Security

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

Phone and Email Scams on the Rise

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Image of fishing hook with noteScams targeting students are being reported from local universities.  Phishers and imposters, disguised as employers and government officials, are tricking students into handing over money. Some of the scams may offer a job opportunity or threaten the recipient with prosecution from a foreign government.

Beware of messages that:

  • Do not clearly identify themselves or their company
  • Come from an email address that does not match the company’s domain
  • Do not give full contact information such as the title of sender, the company’s physical address, or phone number.
  • Make too good to be true offers with no strings attached
  • Ask to pay an upfront fee or asks you to transfer money for them
  • Ask to give your credit card or bank account numbers
  • Ask to send copies of personal documents

Remember: DO NOT provide any personal information, especially Social Security numbers or financial information. Legitimate companies would not ask for this information over the phone or email.

If you have any questions or concerns about keeping safe from phishing attacks and scammers, contact Technology’s Information Security Analyst, [email protected].

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