At Missouri State University, we take computer security very seriously, and employ a variety of security measures to make your computer experience as safe as possible. From firewalls to informational flyers, we do our best to secure your information and spread awareness of the threats that exist and how to avoid them. On this page, you'll find a brief explanation of various tools that we use to maintain security, and recommendations on how to protect yourself as well. If you have any security questions, concerns, or suspect that a security breach has occurred, please contact our IT Security Officer, Jim Taylor, who will be able to assist you.
Viruses & Spyware
We've come a long way towards ending the threat of computer viruses since the first one was discovered in the early 1970s, and the university employs a variety of antivirus security measures to ensure that your data is safe. Both policy and good sense dictate that every PC on campus should have antivirus software of some form. To that end, the Help Desk provides Symantec Endpoint Protection for computers that connect to our network. Symantec Endpoint Protection is a security software suite which scans your computer automatically to provide proactive protection against viruses & spyware (together referred to as "malware"). This, and other tools, allow our Networking & Microcomputer Support departments to maintain a constant lookout for virus activity across the campus.
Email Security
In order to protect against email-based threats, Missouri State has partnered with a blacklist agency that maintains a list of email addresses and email providers that are known to send spam and pass on potentially dangerous emails. We also combat malware by enforcing attachment restrictions to make sure certain types of files cannot be sent or received, such as those which might contain viruses. However, the last line of defense for dealing with potentially dangerous email will always be the judgment of our users. Never send your password in an email, or respond to a message that asks for it. Though your password will expire every 120 days, you can reset it simply by going to https://cams.missouristate.edu. To report spam and phishing messages, simply forward them as attachments to ReportSpam@missouristate.edu.
Firewalls
A firewall prevents many viruses and various forms of spyware from communicating with the outside world, thereby protecting your data. Missouri State University employs a firewall that divides our network from the wider Internet. Most modern operating systems have some kind of local firewall built in as well; all that is necessary is to make sure that it is turned on. To do this in Windows XP, simply access the Control Panel in the Start menu. Double click on the icon labeled Security Center and then click on the Windows Firewall. Make sure it is on and your system will be more secure for it.
Updating the Operating System
Making sure your operating system is up to date is as important as running antivirus software and employing a firewall. Downloading updates over an internet connection is the easiest way to install updates, as most operating systems have a built-in utility that does the work of finding, downloading, and installing the updates for you.
Updating Windows XP
Ideally, Windows should be set to automatically download and install updates. This can be set by opening the Windows Control Panel, double-clicking "Automatic Updates" and specifying a time every day to update Windows. To manually update Windows XP, simply open Internet Explorer and access the Tools drop down menu. Click on Windows Update and Microsoft's site will check to see what updates you need, then present the option for you to download and install them.
Updating Mac OSX
Mac OSX should automatically download updates and install them. To manually run updates, click the Apple menu in the Finder bar (top-left corner of the screen) and click "Software Update." Your computer will then search for updates to install and present you with a list of them. Click "Install all x items," where 'x' is the number of updates found.
Home Security
In addition to securing University-owned computers, the security of our community's home computers is an important part of our strategy. Communication between the University's network and the personal computers of our students, faculty, & staff is integral to our Information Technology infrastructure. Flash drives, CDs, and laptop computers frequently move back and forth between the campus and home networks; student-owned computers in the Residence Halls are connected directly to a subsection of our network; we also offer a VPN solution that allows students, faculty, and staff to connect to certain network resources from any internet connection. All of this communication is an important part of achieving the University's mission, and so it is important to ensure that this communication is protected.
To that end, Students, Faculty, & Staff can install Symantec Endpoint Protection on their own computers, as long as they are members of the campus community. To obtain Symantec Endpoint Protection, bring a CD±R or CD±RW to one of the Computer Services Open-Access Labs located in Cheek, Glass, or Strong Halls. For your friends and neighbors who also need Antivirus protection, there are some good free options available, such as AVG Antivirus, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and Avast! Antivirus.
Dealing with Infections
Although antivirus & antispyware software can help protect your computer, it is still possible for your computer to get infected. On the campus network, this can result in the termination of your network connection to prevent the infection from spreading. In the event that this happens, Contact the Computer Services Help Desk for help disinfecting your machine and getting your port turned back on. To immediately begin disinfecting your computer, Symantec provides a way to manually download the latest definition files in order for you to clean your computer. From a different computer, go to Symantec's Intelligent Updater web page and follow the instructions. Copy the downloaded files to the infected computer to remove the virus. Note: this procedure will not restore your network connection. Contact the Computer Services Help Desk or your Distributed User Support Specialist for assistance.