Network Connection Checklist and Policy Information
Checklist for plugging into the DABCC Network
Student must be currently enrolled at NMSU or DABCC
and have a valid pin number. Set up your NMSU account at my.nmsu.edu.
a quick test of your password strength visit: www.securitystats.com/tools/password.php
Spyware /Adware Removers
Computer must have current operating system critical
updates for Windows, Mac and Linux. A CD for Windows Service Pack 1 and 2 can be checked out from the Help Desk at any open DABCC computer lab. Windows Update windowsupdate.microsoft.com Apple www.apple.com/support/downloads Linux Security www.linuxsecurity.com/advisories
Spyware is software that helps gain information about a person or organization without their knowledge. Spyware is put in someone's computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties. Spyware/adware can affect a computer as a virus or as a result of installing a new program or through a web site. Sometimes the browser gets stuck on one web site such as www.search.com and won’t let you into other sites. This is known as a browser hijacker which can also be very annoying. Free suggested removers: Spybot Search and Destroy www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html Ad-Aware SE Personal www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Computer must also have a virus scanner
installed with current virus signatures. NMSU’s ICT department offers free Sophos antivirus software to students who are currently enrolled: www.nmsu.edu/software/Users/login.php
VPN software: Virtual Private Network Connections for Students, Faculty & Staff
NMSU computer users can download and install VPN software to create a secure, encrypted connection between a remote computer and the NMSU campus network. It is also highly recommended for wireless users. The clients for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux are supported by ICT and can be used to connect to NMSU's VPN. The software can be downloaded from: ict.nmsu.edu/VPN/
OTHER SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS
Personal Firewall
A firewall is a security system that acts as a protective boundary between a network and the Internet. Windows XP (SP2) includes Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) software you can use to restrict what information is communicated between the Internet and your computer. If you are not running Windows XP (SP2) you can download a free personal firewall product such as the one available from ZoneAlarm: www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm /freeDownload.jsp
AVAILABLE NETWORK RESOURCES
Open Computer Lab Printing
Academic-related material is allowed to be printed at the DABCC open computer labs. Documents greater than 10 pages may be cancelled or deleted if computer lab staff is not given prior notice. Please ask lab staff for instructions on printing to the open lab printers.
Wireless Zones
Wireless zones will soon be available at the DABCC Central and satellite campuses. Check with open lab staff for availability. For more information call DABCC Computer Lab 85 DABCC East Mesa Computer Lab 213 DABCC Gadsden Computer Lab 104 DABCC Sunland Park Computer Lab 107 NMSU ICT Help Desk (505) 527-7561 (505) 528-7265 (505) 882-6802 (505) 874-7783 (505) 646-1840
Good Password
Your username and password give you access to everything on your computer. Do not share your password with anyone. If others have your password they can have access to your school account, credit cards numbers, bank account, personal email, etc. An intruder will have the power to steal your identity, change your passwords so you can’t get into some of your accounts, send electronic mail in your name, or subscribe you to unwanted services for which you'd have to pay. In short, an insecure password can easily wreak havoc in your life. For
(Published in accordance with NMSU ICT Department guidelines. more information available at ict.nmsu.edu)
NMSU ICT POLICIES Bandwidth Management
ict.nmsu.edu/Guidelines/band-manage.html
EMAIL CONCERNS Stopping SPAM
ict.nmsu.edu/security/spam.html
Purpose of Policy: This policy helps to insure that adequate bandwidth is available for official university use. It also reminds network users of possible copyright violations. NMSU limits the aggregate bandwidth for applications associated with peer-to-peer file sharing to five percent of the total NMSU bandwidth with no application receiving more than one Mbit/s of bandwidth. During off-peak hours, the bandwidth for applications associated with peer-to-peer file sharing will be increased to no more than 20 percent of the total NMSU bandwidth. NMSU will not eliminate the use of peer-to-peer file sharing programs on the network, nor monitor the content of file sharing programs, unless mandated by law. It is against the law for students, faculty and staff to use copyrighted material without license. NMSU Administrative Council must approve changes in this policy.
NMSU is doing all that we can to battle the SPAM problem that proliferates the Internet. One reason some people get more spam than others is simple; their e-mail is on more spammers' lists than others. If your e-mail address has ever appeared on a webpage, or in a public forum, or especially if you've signed up for an online contest or promotion that asked for your e-mail address, chances are it has been harvested by spammers.
To edit SPAM preferences for your NMSU e-mail account, log in to: my.nmsu.edu Click the "Options" tab at the top of the e-mail interface window. Then select the "Block Addresses" link and input the address you do not wish to have the ability to send to your NMSU e-mail account/inbox. Add/Remove addresses to your own personal blacklist, which is a list of those who can't send email to you.
Phishing, Spoofing or Pharming
www.webopedia.com/TERM/p/phishing.html
ICT Network Disconnection Policy
ict.nmsu.edu/Guidelines/NMSU-net-disconn_policy.html
NMSU uses a Network Intrusion Detection System (IDS). This system generates a list of computers that are exhibiting behavior consistent with being compromised. The owner of a compromised computer will be notified, via phone or email, of being on the list. The owner should immediately disconnect the computer from the network and make arrangements to have the problem fixed. Disconnecting from the network will prevent the computer from showing up on the IDS list. Any computer on the list for 3 days will be blocked from connecting to the network. In addition, DABCC Computer Support reserves the right to immediately disconnect any computer that is causing abnormally large network traffic that is affecting shared resources.
(fish´ing) (n.) The act of sending an email to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail directs the user to visit a Web site where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that a legitimate organization would already have. The web site, however, is bogus and set up only to steal the user’s information.
Phishing or spoofing can be reported at this web site:
www.antiphishing.org/report_phishing.html
For more information call DABCC Computer Lab 85 DABCC East Mesa Computer Lab 213 DABCC Gadsden Computer Lab 104 DABCC Sunland Park Computer Lab 107 NMSU ICT Help Desk (505) 527-7561 (505) 528-7265 (505) 882-6802 (505) 874-7783 (505) 646-1840
(Published in accordance with NMSU ICT Department guidelines. more information available at ict.nmsu.edu)