Be prepared for the holiday break! Check out OTS’ tech and office tips
Get ready for the holiday break with these tips for faculty and staff from the Office of Technology Services (OTS):
- Be prepared for Duo logins. Enroll a second device, and print an emergency code if needed. See all Duo self-help documents.
- Update your password and security question. If your password is set to expire soon, reset it before the break. Here’s how to do it remotely from a TU laptop. Follow TU’s password guidelines, and review and reset your password security question to make sure it’s not easily guessable. Both reset tools are found at www.towson.edu/netid.
- If you use Blackboard, get a jump on next semester. Consider submitting mini or spring course combine requests, and copying any previous materials to the new course. See hours and support info. Remember, Blackboard maintenance is scheduled for December 18-24.
- Update your office status. Turn on your “Out of Office” reply in Outlook, and change your voicemail greeting on your desk phone.
- Do not turn off your office computers unless you are able to visit campus to turn them back on after the holidays.
- Install the latest security updates for personal computers and mobile devices. See what’s available from your provider and make the updates.
- Report suspicious emails, texts, and account lockouts during break. Phishing emails: in personal email accounts forward to reportphishing@apwg.org; in TU email accounts use the “Report Phish” button in Outlook, or forward to phishing@towson.edu. Phishing text messages on a personal device: forward to SPAM (7726) and follow the steps. TU account lockout: if due to clicking a link, notify phishing@towson.edu; if locked out due to failed password/login attempts, wait 10 minutes for account to unlock or reset your password if needed.
OTS strongly recommends completing the above tips before the break, as you might need support with wrapping things up. Here’s how to get help:
- When TU is open: Contact the OTS Faculty/Staff Help Center at 410-704-5151.
- When TU is closed: Once the University is officially closed, telephone, in-person, and chat support will not be available from university staff. Our after-hours support partner provides limited assistance and reports of major system outages. Listen for details when calling x5151. You can access online resources during the break through OTS’ homepage, which provides general technology links and OTS Training’s library of self-help documents and videos.
Categorised in: General
This post was written by Weldon, Jennifer