IS&T understands that unwanted spam, phishing attempts, and unsolicited calendar invitations are more than
just an annoyance—they are a productivity drain and a security risk. Your digital environment should be
focused on the important work of our university, not filtering through junk.
We are actively working behind the scenes to enhance our defenses and ensure your inbox and calendar
remain secure and manageable.
A Key Calendar Security Update
One significant change we have recently implemented directly addresses the issue of spam calendar invites
that automatically appear on your schedule. We have updated a domain-wide setting for how calendar
invites are handled.
We have changed the setting from “Invitations from Everyone” being automatically added to your calendar to
“Invitations from Known Senders” being automatically added to your calendar. So that means that only
invitations from internal university employees or someone you have previously communicated with will be
automatically added to your calendar. For other calendar requests, you will receive an email with the calendar
invite so you can accept or decline the calendar invitation.
Your Individual Calendar Control
While the domain-wide setting gives us a baseline of protection, you have the ability to fine-tune your
personal calendar settings to ensure maximum efficiency and security.
Within your calendar application, this control is often found under "Event settings" or "Calendar settings" and
is called "Add invitations to my calendar.";
The three main options available to individual users are:
1. From everyone (The least secure option for spam prevention).
2. Only if the sender is known (The new domain default setting).
3. When I respond to the invitation in email (The most restrictive and secure option).
We recommend setting your personal preference to either "Only if the sender is known" or "When I
respond to the invitation in email" for maximum spam protection.
How to Check Your Personal Setting:
1. Open your Calendar in a web browser.
2. Click on the Settings (gear icon) in the top-right corner.
3. Go to General > Event settings (or look for the equivalent section in your platform, such as Events
from email).
4. Find the option "Add invitations to my calendar.";
5. Select your preferred option: "Only if the sender is known" or "When I respond to the invitation in
email.";
Your Role in a Secure University
While IS&T is implementing these technical safeguards, your vigilance is the most important layer of security.
Report Suspicious Emails: If an email seems suspicious, use the "Report Phishing"; or "Report Spam";
button in your email instead of just deleting it. This feedback helps train our filters.
Never Click Unknown Links: If a calendar invitation or email from an unknown external source contains
a link, do not click it. Delete the message immediately.
Stay Informed: Keep an eye out for security advisories and training reminders from IS&T.
We are committed to providing a productive and secure digital environment for all employees. If you have any
questions or encounter persistent spam, please contact us at itsecurity@harding.edu.
Written by AI with edits from Lora Fleener