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IT Tuesday Tips & Tricks
Every Tuesday, IT will share popular technology-related tips & tricks that we hope will help to streamline a process, discover a new trick, and make someone's day a bit simpler.
Seven Summer Security Suggestions
Keep Safe this Summer with IT's Lucky Seven Security Suggestions:
- Protect computers from viruses and worms by using Anti-virus
software regularly and using caution when opening email attachments,
clicking links in email and online, and sharing files
- Use complex passwords, keep them secure, do not share with others,
and change them regularly.
- Download operating system (OS) patches and updates regularly.
- Remove spyware and adware from your computer with anti-spyware and
anti-adware programs.
- Protect important personal data by running routine data backups.
- Be careful when shopping online, instant messaging or using wireless
services to reduce your risk of Identity Theft. Make sure the site has
https:// in the address bar or you see the lock icon on
the lower right taskbar.
- NEVER reply to any email requesting personal information. No legitimate business will require you to send information via email. Protect yourself and others by reporting security-related incidents to the appropriate authority.
Previous Tips
Voice Recognition
Have you ever tried to reach someone here on the BSU campus but couldn't recall their extension? To use voice recognition, just dial 508.531.6000 from off campus or x6000 from on campus and say the name of the person or department you are trying to reach. For instructions and tips on using voice recognition, go to http://it.bridgew.edu/Telecomm/Telephone/VoiceRecognition.cfm.
Live@EDU on your Mobile Device (BSU Students)
Students, did you know you can access your BSU email from your mobile device?
Microsoft offers detailed instructions showing students how to configure their Live@EDU email on their mobile device. To set up your phone to access your email messages, calendar, contacts, tasks, and voice mail messages or to use the help wizard to find instructions on setting up your phone or device, go to http://help.outlook.com/en-US/140/cc325688.aspx
Access Email, Voicemail, Calendar and More by Phone (BSU Faculty and Staff)
Did you know you can access your email, voicemail, calendar, and more by phone?
Using Unified Messaging (UM) you can call 508.531.3057 and follow the prompts to listen and respond to email, voicemail, and calendar information. To access UM, you will need your Microsoft Exchange PIN. For instructions on how to reset your PIN, go to http://it.bridgew.edu/telecomm/um/resetpin.cfm .
You can also send and receive email from your Bridgewater State University email account using most mobile devices. For configuration information that your cellular provider may need, go to: http://resnet.bridgew.edu/mobiledevicestatement.cfm. Please keep in mind using your mobile device to send and receive email may drastically increase your data usage so review your cellular plan prior to configuring your device.
Wireless at BSU
If your computer is not connected to the wireless network, you can connect to BSC-EZSetup and configure your own wireless connection! Follow the instructions on your computer screen to configure your computer for wireless access! For more details go to http://it.bridgew.edu/telecomm/perfigo/directions.cfm.
Have you Heard about BSU's Emergency Communication System?
Did you know that BSU has an emergency communication system that can rapidly communicate with students, faculty and staff at their permanent and cellular telephones by voice message and instant text message in the event of an emergency? Be sure to update cell phone number in InfoBear so we can reach you in an emergency. If you do not have a cellular phone, just enter the best number to reach you in an emergency.
To ensure we have a way to reach and protect everyone in the event of an emergency, BSU now requires students to enter an emergency number in the cellular phone field in order to register for any future classes. Additional details and instructions can be found at http://www.bridgew.edu/EmergencyCommunication/.
Have you seen the IT Dashboard?
IT has a service that provides members of the BSU community a high level health check view into BSU's network whether you are checking from home, on campus, or on the road. The web page provides details about expected response times to/from the Internet as well as the state of most critical IT services. In addition, you can view a list of recent scheduled and unscheduled IT outages. The IT Dashboard is available online at http://dashboard.bridgew.edu/dashboard/
How do I know I have a computer virus?
Each virus is a little different but some of the things to watch for are:
- New icons on the desktop;
- Getting security alerts that are not from ForeFront;
- Programs on menu you did not install (ex: coupons);
- New toolbar that you did not add;
- Internet takes you to a different location than what you selected or just does not work;
- Computer running unusually slow;
- Slow startup;
- Computer freezes;
- ForeFront has been disabled;
- Blue error screen.
If you suspect your computer is infected, it is best to contact the Helpdesk at 508.531.2555 as soon as possible. Restarting your computer can often make the infection worse. You should also unplug the network cable from the back of the computer until the virus is completely removed. This will stop it from accessing the Internet and reduce the possibility of spreading it to other computers on the network.
Save Microsoft Office Files as PDFs
Did you know that Microsoft Office 2007 allows you to easily save a file as a PDF? PDF stands for Portable Document Format and it ensures that the file you create will look the same when someone else views or prints it regardless of the type of computer and applications they have. This may be helpful if you want to share a file but you are unsure if others have Office or if you do not want them to change the format of the file. Most computers have Adobe Acrobat Reader but if not it's a simple and free download from http://get.adobe.com/reader/.
To create a PDF from your Microsoft Office Word 2007 document:
- Click the Microsoft Office Button (located where the file menu was in Office 2003)
- Select Save As
- Choose PDF or XPS
- Enter a name for your file
- Select PDF from the Save as type drop down list
- Click Save.
Don't be Hooked by Phishing
What if you receive an email asking for personal information, such as your username and password - what should you do? NEVER give out your username or password to anyone even if you think it's someone you know asking for the information.
Please remember, IT will NEVER ask for your password via any medium (email/ phone).
Phishing email messages are sent by hackers with the malicious intention of stealing your account credentials/ personal information. In some cases messages appear as if they were sent from a colleague or friend or from IT. Responding to such emails by sending your username and password or clicking links sent in such emails could result in identity theft and/ or put you and the institution at risk.
If you receive email messages requesting personal information, please do not respond and delete them. If you did respond by sending or submitting your account password, please change your password immediately.
- For information on how to change your password, please go to: http://it.bridgew.edu/Security/password_change_howto.cfm
- For more information on phishing emails, see http://it.bridgew.edu/Security/Social.cfm.
- You can also report this to our spam filter using these instructions: http://it.bridgew.edu/Telecomm/SpamFilter.cfm.
Secure Passwords
As we move towards communicating and conducting business more and more electronically, having secure passwords is critical. Good password management is pivotal in protecting your information. Passwords control access to your computer, e-mail account, and other sensitive information. Good password management also protects the information of others. How do you make sure your passwords are secure?
Passwords should be treated the same way you would treat the keys to your house or car - kept secure. There are two things to remember when creating a secure password: length and complexity.
Below are a few tips in regards to passwords and choosing a complex password:
- Choose a complex password. A complex password is one that is at least 8 characters long, has upper and lower case letters , numbers, symbols (i.e. !, @, #, $, *, &, ^, %)
- Do not share your password with anyone. Do not send your passwords using email, Instant Messaging (IM), or text message.
- Change the default username and password for all accounts such as email, bank accounts, computers, etc.
- Change your password regularly and often.
- Use a passphrase if you like. For example, your password could be: "TheSunRisesInTheEast@6am". The longer the password the harder it is to crack it.
- You could pick a password from a sentence that you can remember. For example, "I come to work at 8 everyday of the week". This could be used to make your password like this: "!ctW@8e0tW".
- Check the strength of your password. You may check password strength online at http://www.microsoft.com/protect/yourself/password/checker.mspx
- Rename the administrator account on your computer to a different username and password. Do not use defaults.
- Do not write your password on a sticky note. This can be read by anyone.
Please remember that Information Technology will NEVER ask for your password via any medium (email/ phone, etc).
- For information on how to change your password, please go to: http://it.bridgew.edu/Security/password_change_howto.cfm
- For more information on creating strong passwords, go to: http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/passwords-create.aspx
Banner ID/PIN Lookup
In order to protect the personal information of BSU students, faculty, and staff, Bridgewater State University uses the 8-digit Banner ID to identify you instead of using Social Security Numbers. You use this Banner ID to access many systems on campus, such as MyParking, password reset, InfoBear, Ebill, Web for Faculty, and Connect Card services.
If you forget either your Banner ID or PIN, you can now look it up online at www.bridgew.edu/bannerid/. Simply provide your BSU computer account username and password in the corresponding fields on the form, enter the two word security "captcha" and click the "Lookup Your Banner ID/PIN" button.
Creating Email Signatures in Outlook LIVE@edu (BSU Students)
Did you know you can personalize every message you send from your Outlook LIVE@edu account by adding an email signature?
To create your own personal email signature:
- Sign into Outlook Live, via the portal or live.com.
- Go to "Options" in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select "See all Options "
- Select "Settings" on the left.
- Create and format your signature in the "Email Signature" text box.
- To include this signature in all future messages be sure to check the box next to "Automatically include my signature on messages I send"
- When finished, click "Save" in the bottom right corner.
Forwarding Phones to Voicemail when Out of the Office (BSU Faculty and Staff)
With Bridgewater State Universities Unified Messaging system you can forward your calls directly to voicemail using the forward button on your phone. This will make all calls go directly to voicemail without ringing which can be especially helpful if you are having a meeting or away for an extended period of time. All you need to do is press the forward button on your phone then enter 3057 and press forward again. There is no need to pick up the receiver to do this.
To un-forward your phone when you return to the office, just press the forward button again to cancel. This will stop sending calls directly to voicemail.
Self-Service Password Reset
Do you know the most common reason people call the IT Help Desk here at BSU? Password problems! Usually they forgot their password or cannot login. This is especially common at the start of the semester as people are returning to campus after an extended break.
If you run into this problem, youll be happy to know you can reset your own password online at: https://services.bridgew.edu/passwordreset/. Use this web page to reset the password to your BSU computer account in three easy steps. Your BSU computer account is the primary account you use to access most university services such as the BSU domain/network, computer labs, email, blackboard, moodle, and the student portal.
Outlook Live on the Go (BSU Students)
Students, did you know you can check your Outlook Live email from your mobile phone? Yes, email accounts ending in student.bridgew.edu can! Click the links below for instructions from Microsoft.
- Outlook Live Setup: http://help.outlook.com
- Mobile Phones: http://help.outlook.com/en-US/140/cc325688.aspx
- Mobile Phone Setup Wizard: http://help.outlook.com/en-US/140/dd936215.aspx
For more frequently asked questions about Student Email here at BSU, go to http://it.bridgew.edu/support/StudentEmail/.
Recover Deleted Email (BSU Faculty and Staff)
Did you know that once you press delete on a message in Outlook, it's not too late to get that message back? Microsoft Outlook has a great feature called 'Recover Deleted Items' which allows you to recover those email messages that you deleted and emptied from the Deleted Items folder within the past 7 days.
If you think there is a possibility you may need to keep email messages you have recently deleted and emptied from your deleted items folder:
- Open the Outlook Client
- Select Deleted Items folder
- Select the Tools menu, and click Recover Deleted Items
- Select all the email messages you wish to keep, then click the Recover Selected Items button
- The messages will be restored to your Deleted Items email folder
Saving Time with Desktop Shortcuts
Do you use certain web sites on a regular basis? You might have them set as favorites in your browser but you can also create a shortcut right on your desktop to save time.
Below are two ways to create a desktop shortcut to a Web page in Internet Explorer. First, open the Web page:
- Drag the icon from the left side of the Internet Explorer title bar to your desktop or a folder. This is the icon to the left of the Web address or URL
OR
- Right click your command bar in the upper right corner of the Internet Explorer window and click to show your Menu bar.
Then, click the File menu > Send > Shortcut to Desktop.
Now when you double-click the shortcut on your desktop, Internet Explorer starts and loads the Web page automatically.
Print Greener
Did you know both the Moakley and Maxwell Computer Labs here at Bridgewater State University default to duplex printing? This cuts down drastically on wasted paper. You can also reduce the amount of ink you use.
When printing at home, most ink jet printers provide options for printing draft/economy quality which uses less ink. You can also change the print speed to fast which will reduce the ink used. Since many things we print are not for professional purposes, you could change your default to always use the draft setting and change to high-quality when needed.
Another way to save ink and paper is to print the part of the document you need. You can print individual pages or just the sections you need. In many applications and web browsers you can highlight the area you want to print, then choose selection under the page range section of the print dialogue box.
In Microsoft Word, you can print multiple pages per sheet. This would be a great way to cut down on paper and ink consumption if you are just proof reading a document. You can change how many pages print per sheet under the zoom section in the print dialogue box.
You can print PowerPoint presentations in pure black and white. By selecting pure black and white it changes the background color to white and text to black regardless of what your presentation uses. Some features, such as drop shadows and embossing will also not print. Printing in pure black and white can save a lot of printer ink and make presentations easier to read.
For an even greener idea, consider placing your document or presentation in a shared location. You can share the location with viewers electronically and those who require hard copies can print as needed. This not only helps to conserve both paper and printer ink, but also makes it easier for viewers to find and view later.
Head to the Bookstore and Save Big on Microsoft Media
Did you know that BSU students don't need to buy their own licensed copy of Windows or Office when they purchase a new computer? Why spend extra hard-earned money?
Bridgewater State University students as well as faculty and staff who use computers at work are eligible to use Microsoft products on personally owned computers under BSUs site license with Microsoft. To install Microsoft Office or Microsoft Windows on your home computer, you may purchase the media at the University bookstore for a nominal fee. Be sure to bring your BSU Connect Card.
Microsoft Office may also be downloaded once from on campus at http://download.bridgew.edu. We recommend using a network cable to plug into the network if you plan to download as it works faster than wireless. Please be advised the software versions available at the bookstore may not be the same as the version available on the download site.
Save Money & Protect your Computer
Is your computer protected from Viruses and Spyware? What about your computer at home? Members of the BSU community can download Microsoft Forefront Client Security from https://download.bridgew.edu to provide Anti-Virus and Malware protection for their home computer. This program can be downloaded from both on and off campus.
If you have questions or need assistance with downloading Forefront, please contact IT Support at 508.531.2555 or ITSupport@bridgew.edu.
Customize your Quick Access Toolbar in Office 2007
One frequently overlooked feature of Microsoft Office 2007 is the Quick Access Toolbar. This toolbar can be very useful if you take some time to customize it. With some fine tuning, the toolbar can show your most commonly used commands regardless of the tab that is currently displayed on the ribbon. Having instant access to the functions you use most often can simplify using Office 2007 and increase your productivity.
By default, the Quick Access Toolbar is located in the upper-left corner next to the Microsoft Office Button. But, you can also move it below the Ribbon if you find this more convenient.
The instructions below demonstrate how to customize the Quick Access Toolbar in Word 2007. The customizations you make in Word 2007 will not apply across all 2007 Office applications. You will need to customize the Quick Access toolbar for each Office application you use.
- Click the Office button in the top left corner (where the file menu was formerly located)
- Select Word Options at the bottom right of this menu.
- Click Customize on the left of the Options window.
- Take some time to think about which commands you use most often, then select them from the list on the left and click the Add button to add them to your customized list.
- Click OK.
You can add as many commands as you wish, but the Quick Access Toolbar will only display what fits in the space available. To view the extra commands, you need to click the arrow to the right of the toolbar. You cannot display the Quick Access Toolbar on multiple lines.
How to change AutoRecover save intervals in Office 2007
AutoRecover is a beneficial feature of Microsoft Office that automatically saves your work so you don't lose it if your computer crashes. It works by saving your document at certain intervals automatically. By default, AutoRecover is set to save every 10 minutes in Office 2007 but you can easily change the frequency. If you know you are working on an older computer that may have problems, it makes sense to change the settings to save more often. This could prove very helpful during a storm if the power goes out or when you have computer problems. Keep in mind that changing the AutoRecover frequency may slow down your computer if you save too often particularly when working on larger files.
The instructions below use Microsoft Word 2007, but you can change the interval for AutoRecover in all Microsoft Office applications.
- Click the Microsoft Office button in the top left corner (where the file menu was formerly located)
- Select Word Options at the bottom right of this menu.
- Click Save on the left of the Options window.
- Select how frequently you want to save AutoRecover information.
- Click OK.
How to take a screenshot in Windows
Taking a picture" of what is displayed on your computer screen is commonly referred to as a screen capture, screenshot, or print screen. Knowing how to take screenshots can be a very helpful tool. You can send a copy to someone, keep a record of a transaction, or even provide a copy of error messages when you need to contact IT for assistance. This easy task could save you a lot of time and frustration.
- To copy the entire screen, press PRINT SCREEN
(The Print Screen key is often abbreviated to PrtScn and is usually located in the upper right section of the keyboard near the F12 and Screen Lock keys.)
- To copy only the active window, press ALT + PRINT SCREEN
- To insert the image from the clipboard into a document or file, just paste by pressing CTRL + V in the application you are using (Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Picture Manager, Paint, PhotoShop, etc.)
Common Windows Shortcut Keys
Shortcut keys provide an easier and often faster method of navigating and using various computer programs. Why waste time using your mouse and menus?
In windows, you usually access shortcut keys using the Alt, Ctrl, Shift, or Windows key in conjunction with a letter. Many programs have shortcut keys specific to the application. However, as you begin using shortcut keys you will notice that many applications share the same shortcut keys.
Below is a list of the most common windows shortcut keys:
Copy Ctrl + C Paste Ctrl + V Cut Ctrl + X Select All Ctrl + A Undo Ctrl + Z Redo Ctrl + Y Beginning of current line Home Beginning of document Ctrl + Home End of current line End End of document Ctrl + End Move left one word Ctrl + Left Arrow Move right one word Ctrl + Right Arrow Search for text Ctrl + F Switch between programs Alt + Tab Show desktop Windows + D Highlight address bar in browser F6 Complete web address (adds .com to end) in browser Ctrl + Enter Refresh web page F5 Open new tab in browser Ctrl + T Make browser full screen F11 We hope by sharing some of the most Common Windows Shortcut Keys with you, we enable you to find an easier or faster way to accomplish some of your daily tasks. We also recommend checking out this great video from cnet explaining the 15 best shortcuts ever at http://cnettv.cnet.com/15-best-keyboard-shortcuts-ever/9742-1_53-50081077.html.
If you have an IT-related tip you think may help others, please feel free to send it along to us an email to ITSupport@bridgew.edu.
Last Modified: April 18, 2012
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