The Alertus Desktop notification option is the latest addition to the CSUMB's emergency notification system. When the university issues an emergency alert (OTTERalert), all computer workstations and laptops running the Alertus software will display a full-screen pop-up alert providing messaging about the emergency on campus and what actions to take. The pop-up alert option is being added in addition to the notifications those on campus already receive and are not meant to replace them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Alertus Destkop mandatory for all CSUMB computers?
Yes. Alertus desktop will be installed on all Windows and MacOS university end-user and classroom computers by the end of 2022.
Q. How does Alertus Destktop work?
When the university issues and emergency alert the service will issue a “pop-up” OTTERalert message on your computer. To close the message and return to your desktop, you simply click the green “Acknowledge” button. Unacknowledged alerts expire after a set timeframe, and will no longer be visible to the user once they expire or have been canceled.
Q. What sort of messages will come in the form of a “pop-up”?
Only situations that rise to the level of an OTTERalert will use the pop-up method of communication. For more information on OTTERalert, see: https://csumb.edu/otteralerts/
Q. What will the pop-up look like?
The Alertus Desktop pop-up will always include the alert, the University Police Department logo, and specify it is a CSUMB OTTERalert. See image below as an example.
Q. Will I get the “pop-up” on my CSUMB computer if I am off-campus, and not on the CSUMB's wired or wireless network?
Yes. OTTERalert “pop-up” messages will be delivered to a CSUMB computer while it is connected to the internet on or off-campus.
Q. Will I get the “pop-up” on my CSUMB computer if I'm not logged into my computer or my computer is in sleep mode?
No. To receive OTTERalert “pop-up” messages, you must be logged in and not be in sleep mode.
Q. How can I check to make sure Alertus is installed and working on my university computer?
On Windows computers, the Alertus icon will be displayed in the system tray on the bottom of the screen.
On the Windows computer, if the Alertus icon is yellow with a small green check, it means the software is installed and working. If you click on it you will see that the status is operational.
If the Alertus icon on your computer appears with a red x in it, the program is unable to connect to the Alertus server. Whenever it is unable to connect to the Alertus server, your computer will not be able to receive emergency alerts. Please make sure your computer is connected to the Internet.
On Mac OS computers, the Alertus icon will be displayed in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
If you click on it, it will show you that the status is operational.
On a MacOS computer if the icon turns red the program is unable to connect to the Alertus server. Whenever it is unable to connect to the Alertus server, your computer will not be able to receive emergency alerts. Please make sure your computer is connected to the Internet.
Q. What should an instructor do if a OTTERalert comes up on the screen during class?
When the computer user receives an actual emergency alert (OTTERalert) on the Alertus Notification, the user should follow the action steps that are provided in the message related to the emergency. These could include “seek shelter,” “evacuate,” “avoid the area,” etc. To close the message and return to your desktop, you simply click the green “Acknowledge” button.