May 2004

To: All Students Using Personal Computing Equipment (not owned by Eckerd College) Connected to the Eckerd College Network (ECnet)

FROM: Information Technology Services (ITS) and Computer Policy Group (CPG)

EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2004

Will be the following addendums to existing computer policies - Any student-owned computer or communication device found violating the following policies WILL BE REMOVED from ECnet until the violation is fixed.

Antivirus Policy

The purpose of this policy is to prevent network and virus related problems to computers and network on ECnet. Viruses can disable or degrade the performance of the network.

This policy covers all computer and communication devices owned by students or visitors of Eckerd College.

Students using personal computers on ECnet MUST BE USING ACTIVE antivirus software installed and updated with current virus definitions. "Current" definitions are defined as virus protection definitions acquired from the software manufacturer, not more than two weeks old.

Recommended software are either Sophos Anti-Virus, McAfee ViruScan or Symantec (Norton) Antivirus. ITS will be providing Sophos free of charge - stay tuned for details.

NOTE: If you are connecting a brand new computer to ECnet. Please be aware most hardware providers (Dell, Compaq, Sony, etc?) will usually provide you with a 90-day trial copy of one of the above Antivirus Software programs. After the initial 90-day trial period, you will need to purchase the software. The purchase can be done online with a valid credit card or by purchasing at a local electronics store.

As you are probably aware, new viruses are discovered almost every day. Following this policy will reduce the chance of you getting a computer virus affecting ECnet for the rest of the users, and/or having ITS remove your access to ECnet

Computer Operating System (OS) Policy

(Windows 98, XP, 2000, NT, etc...)

The purpose of this policy is to prevent network and virus related problems related to the inability of illegal copies of a computer operating system to keep a computer current with the latest critical updates and security patches provided by the manufacturer(s). These computers can disable or degrade the performance of the network.

If the OS on your computer is found to be illegally obtained and unable to receive updates, your computer will be removed from the ECnet until the problem is rectified.

This policy covers all computer and communication devices owned by students or visitors of Eckerd College.

Students owned computers connected to ECnet MUST HAVE ACCESS TO THE ORIGINAL CD CONTAINING THE OS INSTALLED ON THE COMPUTER.

NOTE: If you are connecting a brand new computer to ECnet. Please be aware most hardware providers (Dell, Compaq, Sony, etc?) will not provide you with an updated and patched OS. It is your responsibility to perform the necessary critical updates and security patches provided by the manufacturer(s). ITS can provide you with help.

Windows and other OS security "holes" are discovered on a regular basis and the manufacturer(s) will supply "patches to fill those "holes" on your computer. Microsoft provides an easy way to keep your computer current - use Windows Update!

Computers running other operating systems (e.g. Linux, Macintosh) must be patched by the user against known vulnerabilities so that they cannot be compromised.

Following this policy will reduce the chance of your affecting ECnet for the rest of the users, and/or having ITS remove your access to ECnet.

Permitted Devices

Eckerd College reserves the right to limit and regulate any and all usage of its computing equipment and network.

Only personal computers and communication devices configured to perform normal workstation functions may be connected to ECnet. Nothing else may be connected without registering the product and getting appropriate permission from ITS.
Specifically prohibited are: wireless access points, routers, web servers, FTP servers, streaming media servers, and networked printers. Also specifically prohibited are personal computers configured to perform network services such as routing, proxying, bridging, DHCP, DNS, NAT, etc.

NOTE: Most commonly used items are wireless access points and routers. If incorrectly installed, just one of these devices can bring down a portion of ECnet. Potentially, an entire dorm complex could go down until ITS knocks on your door. Please contact ITS and register these devices before plugging them into any ECnet data port.

Spyware Information

Spyware is any software that installs itself and runs in the background of a computer while using an internet connection without the knowledge and/or permission from the user. Other related software which can do harm to your computer are known as Datamining, aggressive advertising, Parasites, Scumware, Keyloggers, selected traditional Trojans, Dialers, Malware, Browser hijackers, and tracking components.
Here are some programs which are known to install spyware programs:
BearShare - LimeWire - Kazaa - Grokster - and many more.

Some very common spyware programs to watch out for are:
Ezula - ATTune - Comet Cursor - Alexa - nCase - and many more.
Spyware can be removed by downloading, installing, and using spyware removal programs available from the internet such as Ad-aware or Spybot. Just like antivirus software, in order for a spyware removal tool to be effective the user must regularly check for and update the spyware definition files. Simply running the un-install program or removing known spyware from Add/Remove programs in Control Panel isn't enough.
ITS strongly recommends the use of program called Ad-Aware for removing spyware. Available from www.lavasoftusa.com (or from www.download.com.)