Safeguarding Personal Computers

The Office of Technology Services is working to ensure that the campus computer network is virus free. This process requires the cooperation of every resident student who uses a computer within the dorms regardless of whether the computer is connected to the network.

Please perform the following operations on your computer and complete the Network Connection Application found in Appendix A. The below listed steps and associated application must be completed by the first day of each term and returned to Sr. Rose Harlan.

NOTE: Failure to complete the form by the deadline will result in the termination of all network connections within your dorm room .

Updating your Operating System

1. Close All Windows Programs
2. Open Internet Explorer
3. Click Tools and then Windows Update
4. Click Scan For Updates
5. Click Review and Install Updates (these are the critical updates to protect your PC)
6. Click Install Now
7. Click the [Accept] button
8. Click Yes (Do you want to Restart Now)
9. Repeat this process (Steps 1 through 8) until there are 0 critical updates to install)

Please note: Any update that has an asterisk next to it needs to be downloaded and installed by itself. Also XP Service Pack 1 takes a while to install but it is also very important that you do so!

Cleaning your system of Viral Infections

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Go to this site http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger
3. Download Stinger.exe and save it to your Desktop

Important Note: If you are running Windows ME or XP you must first turn off your System Restore feature or the Stinger will fail to clean your system!

Windows ME - Disabling the System Restore Utility

1. Right click the My Computer icon on the desktop and then click Properties
2. Click the Performance tab
3. Click on the [File System] button

4. Click on the Troubleshooting tab
5. Put a check mark next to Disable System Restore
6. Click the [OK] button
7. You will be prompted to restart your computer. Click [Yes] to restart.

You may now proceed to the “Running the Stinger” section. After running the Stinger please be sure to turn your System Restore feature back on!

Windows XP - Disabling the System Restore Utility

• Right click the My Computer icon on the desktop and click Properties
• Click on the System Restore tab
• Put a check mark next to ‘Turn off System Restore on All Drives’

You may now proceed to the “Running the Stinger” section. After running the Stinger please be sure to turn your System Restore feature back on!

Running the Stinger

1. Go to your Desktop or navigate to wherever you saved the downloaded Stinger.exe
2. Double click the Stinger.exe file icon
3. Click the [Scan Now] Button to scan all files

Registering your computer on the network

Find the Computer Name of your PC then call the Office of Technology Services (OTS) Helpdesk to have it registered on the network. To acquire the computer name follow the below listed instructions.

If you are running Windows XP

1. Right click the My Computer icon on the desktop, and then click on the Properties link.

2. Next click on the Computer Name tab
3. Next copy down the identifier that is listed to right-of for “Full Computer Name:” field. Call this identifier into the Helpdesk on extension 1234.

 

 

If you are running Windows 2000

1. Right click the My Computer icon on your Desktop, and then click on the Properties link.
2. Next click on the Network Identification Tab
3. Next copy down the identifier that is listed to right-of for “Full Computer Name:” field. Call this identifier into the Helpdesk on extension 1234.

 

 

 

If you are running Windows ME and Windows 98

1. Right click the Network Neighborhood icon on your Desktop and then click on the Properties link.
2. Then click on the Identification Tab
3. Next copy down the identifier that is listed to right-of for “Full Computer Name:” field. Call this identifier into the Helpdesk on extension 1234.

Special Note: The Stinger is a great disinfection utility From Network Associates but remember that it is not a full time anti virus program. All PC’s should have an anti virus program installed and that it should be updated with the latest virus definitions weekly.