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MSSU Computing Lab Social Distancing Recommendations

The MSSU HelpDesk is still available to contact via phone (417-659-4444) or by email (helpdesk@mssu.edu). Please give us a call!

Cyber Security

Missouri Southern State University would like to warn everyone to remain vigilant for scams related to Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Cyber criminals may send phishing emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes. Exercise caution in handling any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment or hyperlink, and be wary of social media pleas, texts or calls related to COVID-19.

We encourage individuals to remain vigilant and take the following precautions:

  • Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments
  • Use trusted sources—such as legitimate, government websites—for up-to-date, fact-based information about COVID-19
  • Do not reveal personal or financial information in email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information
  • Verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations. Review the Federal Trade Commission’s page on Charity Scams for more information
  • Continue to visit https://emergency.mssu.edu/ for all communications, as well as our current guidelines, polices and prevention measures

If you feel you have received a phishing email please report it to the InfoSec team at InfoSec@mssu.edu or call (417) 659-4444.

 

Student Resources

Office 365

Helpful Tools

  • Blackboard
  • Outlook/Email
  • LioNet
  • Quick guide for Annotating PDFs
  • The MSSU Mobile App can be installed in the App Store and the Google Play Store.
  • For students with limited internet access, the computer lab in Anderson Criminal Justice Center 149 will remain open for student use from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Internet: CableOne/Sparklight

 

Employee Resources for Working Remotely

Office 365

Nortel/ShoreTel Phone System

  • Phone
    • You can check your office voicemail when you are out of the office. Click here for a step-by-step guide.
      • If you do not know your voicemail password, please call the HelpDesk so it can be changed.
    • If you would like to forward your office phone to your personal phone, please reach out to the HelpDesk.
      • *This could incur long distance fees to your department if the personal phone is considered long distance.
    • While out of the office, you can change your voicemail greeting. Click here for a step-by-step guide.

Accessing Data

  • VPN
    • A VPN is a Virtual Private Network that allows you to connect to Missouri Southern’s network and resources.
    • If you are needing this set up, please contact the HelpDesk to get directions on how to do this.
    • Once connected to a VPN, you are then able to connect to your Missouri Southern I and J Drives.
    • Banner can also be accessed after connecting to a VPN. Click here to get to Banner.
    • Various web applications will also require a VPN connection.

Classroom

  • For Missouri Southern classes, we highly recommend using Blackboard Collaborate.
    • Blackboard Collaborate is a web conferencing/webinar platform designed for use in online teaching.
    • This is a tool that is built into Blackboard and you are able to find more documentation here.
  • You can annotate PDFs in Microsoft Edge. Click here for a guide.

 

Internet Service Providers

Listed below are some of the area internet service providers that have announced offers that they are providing because of COVID-19.

  • AT&T
    • AT&T is teaming up with VitalTech “to provide 60 days of free telehealth services through Vital care platform”
  • Mediacom
    • Increasing the speed of the Mediacom Connect2Compete low-cost internet program to 25 megabits per second (Mbps) down by 3 Mbps up (currently 10 Mbps down by 1 Mbps up). Qualifying families who subscribe before May 15, 2020, will receive 60 days of complimentary Mediacom Connect2Compete service.
    • Extending the pricing of Mediacom’s Access Internet 60 broadband service to new customers at $19.99 per month for the next 12 months (currently retails for $29.99 per month).
    • Pausing monthly data allowances across all Mediacom broadband service tiers through May 15, 2020.
    • Providing complimentary access to all Mediacom Xtream Wi-Fi Hotspots for 60 days.
    • As part of this pledge, Mediacom will not disconnect service or assess late fees to any customer who calls and informs the company that they cannot pay their bill during this period.
  • Sparklight/CableOne
    • Sparklight today announced additional relief measures to support families in need during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Beginning today, a 15 Mbps internet plan for $10 per month is available for the next 60 days to help low income families and those most impacted from coronavirus challenges, such as seniors and college students. No documentation will be required to sign up for this plan.
  • Sprint
    • So you can stay safe, we’ve made it easy to shop from home and get the services you need online. All orders on sprint.com will get free next-day shipping.
    • Providing Unlimited data for 60 days to customers with metered data plans (effective 3/18). Giving 20 GB of free mobile hotspot to customers with hotspot-capable devices (effective 3/18).
    • Waiving per-minute toll charges for international long-distance calls from the U.S. to CDC- defined Level 3 countries (effective shipping and waived activation fees.
  • Suddenlink
    • Altice USA is committed to helping schools and students stay connected during this unprecedented time. For households with K-12 and/or college students who may be displaced due to school closures and who do not currently have home internet access, we are offering our Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution for free for 60 days to any new customer household within our footprint.
  • Wisper
    • Given the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on American society, Wisper pledges for the next 60 days to:
      • (1) not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic;
      • (2) waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and
      • (3) open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them