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Welcome to Academic Computing's Dorm Net Web page

Protective Measures

Computer infections such as viruses and worms may not only disable your own computer, but may harm network performance for other users or even spread infections to their computers. It is therefore the responsibility of each dormitory resident to maintain current antivirus software and regularly perform Windows updates as a protective measure.

Dorm CD

The Dormnet CD contains publicly available utilities that may help you maintain your PC. You may download it from ( http://dormnet.usouthal.edu/Dormcd.html ).

Please note
that Academic Computing provides this as a service to dormitory residents, but does not support these programs and is not responsible for problems caused by their use.


Wireless Access in Dorms

The University Computer Services Center is implementing wireless in the Dormitory Networks.

  • Wireless service has been established in the Beta dorms, Delta 6, and Epsilons 1 and 2.
  • Previous announcements erroneously stated that the remaining dorms would have wireless by the Fall term. Wireless will be completed DURING the fall term 2007, but will not be ready at start of classes.

**NOTE**: Like most public wireless networks, the dormitory wireless network is NOT a secure network. Your communications are vulnerable to capture by third parties. We strongly recommend that you use secure web communications (https://) wherever possible, especially when transmitting private or financial information, or using logins and passwords to remote services.

To access the Dormitory Wireless Network, you will need to establish the wireless connection and then authenticate through the Clean Access server.

These steps are documented as follows:

If you have any questions regarding the Dormitory Wireless Network, you may email Academic Computing at acad@jaguar1.usouthal.edu or call 460-6161 during business hours. Only limited support is available outside of M-F, 8-5, so we recommend you test your wireless access during the week. Support staff are on call outside of business hours, but only to address service outages, not individual user problems.


News Flash

You Are A Computer User!

News Flash

Here are 10 things you should know as a Computer User.

HTML          WORD           PDF


FGA (Frequently Given answers)

These are the most commonly given answers to the most commonly asked questions.

Download FGA (word format)     PDF

3 Steps to hooking up to the network

Windows 2000/XP version (word format)     PDF
Windows 98/Me version (word format)         PDF


Windows XP Service Pack Two


Microsoft's XP SP2 Installer
Microsoft's XP SP2 Support Center
List of Changes and Updates with Sp2
Install and Tweak guide for XP SP2
Programs that may behave differently in Windows XP Service Pack 2

Video on how to use the new pop-up blocker in IE
Video on Using the new Security Center
How to add programs to the new XP firewall

Antivirus

A Full Version Antivirus program such as Symantec, AVG, Kaspersky, and Sophos. ***Please note!*** This does not mean the 3 month trial that comes with most computers! This means a full version of the antivirus software registered and set to auto-update no more then every 3 days .

Please Visit these sites for more information:
Microsoft's virus security page
Dorm Antivirus Links

Spyware

Spyware Prevention and Removal: Spyware is to blame for 80-85% of all lost connection calls we get at AC. For more information on spyware and how it can affect you please check out Microsoft's spyware information page:
Microsoft's Spyware Page

We can recommend a few programs you need to run and have updated every week. These free tools are the ones we recommend and find effective.
a. Spybot Search and Destroy
b. Ad-Aware
c. SpywareBlaster
d. CWShredder
e. BHODemon

You can find more information and links about spyware here: http://patches.usouthal.edu/Spyware1.html
http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/spyware/ http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#top


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Webmaster:  Patrick
University of South Alabama - Mobile Alabama 36688-0002 / 1 (251) 460-6101
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Last date changed: January 30, 2007 3:38 PM
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