All posts by Chris Mielke

For Students Archive

Cybersecurity Awareness Month: Ransomware

Ransomware attacks can cause downtime, data loss, and compromise sensitive data. Phishing emails remain a leading cause of ransomware entry, meaning you have a key role to play in keeping Drake safe.

There are many ways to spot and report attempted phishing. Please see Junk Mail and Phishing (FAQ) for more information about suspicious and unexpected emails. To report suspected phishing, submit a Phishing Attempt Reporting ticket and follow the steps detailed in Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to).

Additionally, ITS has implemented a new way for students to report suspected phishing. Starting Wednesday, October 11, students will be able to report suspected phishing attempts directly from the email in question. Please see Report Phishing Button in Outlook (For Students Only) for more information.

To keep yourself safe from ransomware, follow these best practices:

  • Think before you click. Phishing is a leading cause of ransomware attacks. If you aren’t sure about a suspicious email, link, or website, report it and don’t open it.
  • Back up your files. Ransomware may look for files to edit, encrypt, or delete. Protect your files by backing them up to a secondary location.
  • Keep software updated. Out-of-date software may pose an easy target for ransomware attacks. Update your software and operating system regularly.
  • Only use secure networks. Use eduroam while on campus for a secure connection.
  • Never pay the ransom. If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a ransomware attack, contact ITS immediately.

Understanding how ransomware operates, its entry points, and preventative measures empowers you to take your cyber safety into your own hands.

Take the cybersecurity quiz! The first 150 people to complete the quiz will receive a coupon to use at the campus Starbucks, and all student participants will be entered into a random drawing for 1 of 10 Griff II t-shirts. Complete the quiz by October 31, 2023.

Watch for next week’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month topic in OnCampus. Learn more about cybersecurity, watch videos, and become a part of Drake’s security culture at drake.edu/its/csam.

For ITS assistance, submit a ticket at service.drake.edu/its, visit the lower level of Carnegie Hall, or call 515-271-3001.

Chris Mielke, ITS

For Faculty Archive, For Staff Archive

Faculty and Staff phishing button

Phishing is one of the biggest security concerns for any organization. Each student, employee, or guest with a Drake University account is a potential target for scammers. KnowBe4, the company that Drake University contracts to provide IT Security Awareness and phishing simulation training, also provides tools to help us protect our community from real-world phishing attacks. To learn more about phishing, spear phishing, junk mail, and other forms of unwanted mail, please see Junk Mail and Phishing (FAQ).

On Wednesday October 11th, 2023, the ITS team will implement KnowBe4’s Phish Alert Button (PAB) in Outlook. This button allows faculty and staff to report suspected phishing emails easily and safely. It will appear in all Outlook platforms: desktop apps, mobile apps, and Outlook Web Access (OWA).

For detailed instructions on using the new Phishing Alert Button, please review Phishing Alert Button in Outlook (For Faculty/Staff).

Additionally, you may submit a Phishing Attempt Reporting ticket to notify ITS of suspected phishing attempts. For detailed steps, see Reporting a Phishing Message (How-to).

Chris Mielke, ITS

HR Information Archive

Sign up for an on-campus stroke and cardiovascular ultrasound screening

Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a stroke, and every 3.5 minutes, someone dies of a stroke. Common risk factors include age, obesity, high blood pressure and cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, inactivity, poor diet, and family history.

Health Gauge will be offering vascular screenings on Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. through noon in the Olmsted Center Parents Hall North. This includes stroke/carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and peripheral artery disease screenings. You may also add an optional osteoporosis screening and EKG. These painless and non-invasive screenings are open to all Drake employees, spouses/partners, and retirees. The cost is $125 for the three vascular screenings payable at the time of your appointment. The optional add-ons are $35 each. You may pay with cash, check, credit or debit card, or FSA dollars. Appointments are necessary. Call Health Gauge at 515-244-3080 to get scheduled.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

HR Information Archive

Complete your physical by Nov. 30 to receive health insurance discount

Important Reminder: Employees on Drake’s health plan who wish to receive a wellness health insurance premium discount in 2024, need to complete a physical with their Primary Care Physician (PCP) between Dec. 1, 2022, and Nov. 30, 2023, and submit a Premium Discount-Annual Physical Form by Nov. 30, 2023.  This is an annual requirement and the only option to receive the discount in 2024.

Besides receiving a premium discount, an annual physical is a great way to receive important health information through age and gender specific examinations, schedule recommended preventative screenings, and create a doctor-patient relationship.

If you have not scheduled your annual physical yet with your PCP, you are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.  You do not need to wait a year and a day between physicals.  Our Wellmark plan allows for one physical per calendar year.

Please send an email to linda.feiden@drake.edu with questions.

Linda Feiden, Human Resources

Campus Announcements Archive

New Drake Rec classes: Bulldog Pump and Crew

Jump start your week with our Bulldog Pump classes from 7:30-8:15 am on Mondays starting October 23rd! Learn some lifting basics that will get you pumped for the week! Or, join us for a total body workout in our new Bulldog Crew rowing classes! These will be weekly classes held in the Knapp mezzanine starting Friday, October 20th from 11:00-11:45 am. Don’t forget to sign up for these classes, as well as our other weekly classes, using the Drake Rec App! See you there!

Please email wellness@drake.edu with any questions. If you are unable to attend for any reason, no worries! You can cancel your slot in the Drake Rec App, and we will see you next time!

Gail Witte, Drake Rec Services

Campus Announcements Archive

National Transfer Student Week

Join us Oct. 16–20 for National Transfer Student Week. We know that transfer students bring extensive diversity and experience to Drake’s campus. The Office of Advising will be hosting a series of events to connect with transfer students and transfer student allies. We encourage departments to join us in celebrating the transfer students who enrich our departments and the supportive faculty and staff who continue to make the transfer process accessible and attainable for entering students.

Events: 

  • Oct. 18, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. — Pumpkin Decorating in Olmsted Breezeway 
  • Oct 19, 8:30–9:45 a.m. — Zimpleman Celebration in Aliber lobby 
  • Oct 19, 5:30–7:30 p.m. — Potluck dinner in Cline Atrium 
  • Oct 20, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. — Buttons and Coffee in Olmsted Breezeway 
  • Oct 20, 1:15–2 p.m. – Transfer Student Virtual Focus Group (join here!) 

Laura Hayes, Transfer Advising Specialist

Campus Announcements Archive

Law School to host free powers of attorney clinics

The Law School is once again hosting free Powers of Attorney Clinics in honor of Cady Day of Service, Oct. 20, 2023. Each clinic will consist of a 45 minute overview about financial and medical powers of attorney and living wills followed by a one-on-one appointment with a licensed attorney and/or Drake Law student to complete the required documents.

Select from one of three sessions:

  • 9–10:30 a.m.
  • Noon–1:30 p.m.
  • 4–5:30 p.m.

All sessions will be held in Cartwright Hall.

This service is free and open to the public. Register here.

— Terri Howard, Law School

Campus Announcements Archive

Law School to host blood drive Oct. 20

Did you know that one pint of whole blood can save up to three lives? The Drake Law School chapter of Delta Theta Phi will hold a lifesaving Blood Drive on Friday, Oct. 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Cartwright Hall, Kern Commons. Healthy adults who are 16 years old and weigh at least 120 pounds are eligible to donate. The blood drive is planned in honor of Cady Day of Service.

Schedule your donation

— Terri Howard, Law School

Campus Announcements Archive

Drake Wellness Conference Oct. 25

WEllcon23 is an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to learn about the resources that Drake has to offer in terms of support through the dimensions of wellness—intellectual, physical, social, spiritual, vocational, emotional, and environmental. WEllcon23 will also serve as an opportunity for learning tools that will be helpful in achieving success throughout the semester and beyond.   

Join us on Oct. 25 from 3–6 p.m. for a variety of educational and experiential workshops (i.e. yoga, body image and nutrition, mental health, and more), pet therapy, massage therapy, and resources from a variety of community and Drake organizations.

— Kayla Bell-Consolver, Student Health Center