Before You Connect

Every student is responsible to ensure that his/her computer is amply protected and suitable for use on the campus-wide network.  With increasing risks of virus attacks and spyware intrusion, it is extremely important to prepare your computer before connecting to the network.
Please use the following checklist to ensure your computer is ready to be connected to the Malone network:
 
Protecting your Operating System:
  • Install the latest Windows Updates  http://www.windowsupdate.com
  • Enable Windows Auto Update
  • Enable Windows Firewall* (for Windows XP users)
Virus Prevention:
  • Install and update Antivirus software
 
NOTE: If you do not already have antivirus software installed on your computer, the IT Department has CDs available providing free Antivirus software for your usage.  (To maintain optimum functionality of your computer, only one AV software package should be installed on your computer at one time.)  The following two packages are free and can be installed from the CD or downloaded from their web sites:
 
AVG Free Edition – www.free.grisoft.com
Antivir – www.free-av.com
  • Clear the browser cache and Local SettingsTemp
Viruses often like to hide in these directories and most virus protection software does not detect them.
  1. Close all running instances of Internet Explorer and all browser windows.
  2. In Control Panel, click Internet Options.
  3. Click the General tab, and then click Clear History.
  4. Click Yes, and then click OK to close the Internet Options dialog box.
 
  • Delete infected System Restore points (for Windows XP users). Do this only if your AV package has found a virus in one of the system restore points.
To delete all restore points (infected or otherwise) except the latest one, use the Disk Cleanup utility. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then Disk Cleanup. Click on the more options tab and then select Clean up in the System Restore dialog box.
 
 
Removing Spyware:
  • Install a Spyware removal tool to scan for and remove any spyware that is found on your computer.
 
NOTE: The IT Department has CDs available providing Spyware Removal tools for installation on your computer.  You may also download these products from the following web sites:
 
SpyBot Search & Destroy – www.spybot.info
Adaware – www.lavasoftusa.com
1.800.521.1146