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On Guard: Staying Alert for Computer Vulnerabilities

Published in the Aggie on October 13, 2004

Imagine if your home had a hundred doors and you knew there were thousands of burglars outside trying to break in. You would make sure that every last door was locked each time you left. While your home probably doesn't have this many doors, your computer does, and whenever you hear about a new security vulnerability, someone - maybe a university tech support person, maybe a Microsoft employee, maybe a hacker - has discovered yet another door you didn't know you had. Then imagine that you live in an apartment with doors that connect to all your neighbors. This is what it's like being on a network; once someone breaks into one computer, it's easier for that person to get to the others. Fortunately, IET has been working to help you protect these doors from intruders.

Vulnerability Scanning
Each time you connect to online secure services on campus - those that require you to log in, like MyUCDavis or SISWeb - your computer will be scanned for certain critical vulnerabilities and virus infections. One of three things will happen after the scan:

  • If the scan doesn't detect a problem, you probably won't even notice that your computer has been scanned.
  • If your computer has non-critical problems, you'll be directed to a web page that will provide information about how to solve them, but you will still be able to connect.
  • If your computer presents critical problems, you'll be prevented from accessing secure services and will be directed to a web page with instructions on how to fix the problems. Once repaired, you'll be able to access secure services again.

If you're connecting from off-campus, your computer is NOT scanned during the login process; however, you can perform the vulnerability scan by visiting selfscan.ucdavis.edu.

Windows XP Service Pack 2
If you have Windows XP installed on your computer, you can pick up a free Windows XP Service Pack 2 CD at various locations around campus, including IT Express, the UC Davis Bookstore Computer Shop, and any campus computer room. Service Pack 2 fixes several Windows XP vulnerabilities and adds new features.

Email Attachment Filtering
In August, the campus began preventing certain file types frequently used to carry viruses from being transmitted via email. If you receive a message with an unsafe attachment type, the attachment will be removed and replaced with a message stating why the attachment was blocked. For more information, including a list of unsafe file types, visit security.ucdavis.edu/attach_restrict.cfm.

Symantec AntiVirus
To protect your computer from viruses, pick up the UC Davis Internet Tools CD - which includes Symantec AntiVirus - from the bookstore for about $7. As a student, you may also download a free copy from the Software site at MyUCDavis (under "My Tools"). Be sure to set LiveUpdate to update your virus definitions daily; antivirus software is only effective if it knows what viruses to look for. For a list of other software available on this CD, see online.ucdavis.edu.

Password Reset
If you've forgotten your Kerberos password, you can take a picture ID to IT Express in 182 Shields Library to reset it.

If you're worried that you might forget your password, sign up for Online Password Reset. Go to computingaccounts.ucdavis.edu, select "Change your Password," and follow the instructions to set up this new service. Once you've set up Online Password Reset, you'll be able skip the trip to IT Express the next time you forget.

If you want to learn more about security for your computer, a good place to start is with the Ten Steps to Safe Computing at security.ucdavis.edu/security101.cfm. This site provides information and practical tips about everything from spyware to identity theft.

By using these tips, you'll be able to lock some of those doors, the ones you never think about and, in many cases, never use. Vigilance on your part helps make the network safer for all of us; please do your part to set the deadbolt against intruders.

This column is provided to you by the student writers of Information and Educational Technology. For questions and comments, please contact ietpubsjr@ucdavis.edu.

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