IT Services
“It is reassuring to know that IT is keeping our system on close watch against SPAM attacks.” – Staff Member, 10/4
Systems and Infrastructure Status
Planned outage: Banner (which includes RAIL) will be down for a planned system upgrade on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1. System tools affected include the online Schedule of Classes, and the entire RAIL system, including access to registration, transcripts and transcript request functions, degree evaluation and advisee information, bill payment, financial aid, budget info, and grading. Thank you for your patience.
Unplanned outage: No planned outages at this time.
Recent News
IT Services has been informed that some students have been receiving emails that are either SPAM or a PHISH attack. These emails may look enticing, as many revolve around job opportunities or free goods, but, please be aware that these emails, and others like them, often are not legitimate. Always use caution when viewing and processing email. Please take extra care whenever asked to access another ‘link’ or open any ‘attachments’.
Here is an educational resource pertaining to Social Engineering attacks and how to recognize them Social Engineering Red Flags
Here are some rules of thumb to identify red flags in determining a valid email:
- FROM: You don’t recognize the sender or sender’s address. This is an unexpected or unusual email with an embedded hyperlink or an attachment from someone that I have not communicated with recently.
- SUBJECT: Subject line is irrelevant and/or does not match the email content.
- TO: You were sent an email with others, but you do not recognize any of the other recipients.
- DATE/TIME: Was this email sent at an unusual time, like 3 am?
- CONTENT: Am I being asked to do ‘something’ to avoid a negative consequence or to gain something of value? Does the content have bad grammar or poor spelling?
- HYPERLINKS: When you hover your mouse over the hyperlink, does the site that it is directing you to match what is on the hyperlink or to another place?
- ATTACHMENTS: Also be suspicious. You don’t recognize the file type.
To better assist you in educating yourself about PHISHING, please access the Google PHISHING Quiz. This quiz is highly interactive and will provide key areas to help you determine what email is legitimate and what is not. The PHISHING Quiz can be accessed by going to: https://phishingquiz.withgoogle.com/
If you are unsure if you have a malicious or legitimate email and would like assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk for assistance at 304-876-5457. You can also elect to email us your issue to itworkorder@shepherd.edu; or you may visit us in person in the lower floor of the Library (ASC area).
Older phishing attacks and other important updates
Please check our News Archive
Tips for Student Email Problems
- Your student email password was reset to synchronize with your Sakai / Computer Account password. The Username is still your username@rams.shepherd.edu, but the password changed.
- If you feel your password is not working, log into the RAIL system, click on Personal Information, click on Password Management and then click on Change Password. Change your password following the rules stated on the page. After changing your password, log out of RAIL and wait at least 10 minutes before trying your password. NOTE: This password change will not only change it for your email account, but also your Sakai login, logging into campus lab and classroom systems, and for validating / registering your personal devices for use on our network.
- For mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, you must enter your Sakai / computer account password into your device’s email app. If you do not, it will keep trying to use the previous invalid one.
- Also for mobile devices, you must change the server address in the email app settings. Most students have the server address as pod51011.outlook.com. That server address is no longer valid. Please remove this server address and enter the new server address of outlook.office365.com
If you are still having problems, please contact the IT Services Desk. Their contact information is at the bottom of this page under the To get help heading.
Extended Support Hours
IT Services Desk Hours
The IT Services Desk hours are Mondays – Thursdays from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M., and Fridays from 8 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
After Hours Support
After Hours phone and email support is available between 5 P.M. and 8 P.M. (Mondays – Thursdays). Contact us via phone at 304-263-3066 or via email at itworkorder@shepherd.edu.
Device Registration Instructions
As we start a new semester we wanted to share important information with you about registering your devices for use on the campus network including wi-fi.
- Desktop computers used in residence halls can be registered by students. Please visit the FAQ page, or click here.
- Laptops, tablets, iPods, smartphones and other smart devices may be registered by you. Please click here to register these types of devices.
- To register devices such as game consoles, Rokus, SmartTVs, and similar devices; please visit this web page.
If you have any questions or problems, how to contact us is immediately below.
To get help
- Email: itworkorder@shepherd.edu
- Phone: 304-876-5457 (Main Campus) or 304-263-3066 (Martinsburg Center)
- In-Person:
- At the Main Campus, go to the IT Services Desk in the basement of the Library. Look for the sign above our area.
- For the Martinsburg Center, go to room 118. If no one is there, please go to the Front Desk.
Updated November 14, 2019