Virus Info
ITS employs a three-tier approach to creating a safer and more secure
computing environment for students, staff and faculty:
- Desktop Level: Symantec Endpoint Protection (AntiVirus) software on individual workstations
- Campus Firewall: perimeter protection against unauthorized access
- E-mail Gateway Scanning: a high-capacity appliance to filter e-mail viruses before they are delivered
The Campus firewall is the second step for securing computers on campus. The firewall is currently protecting both the Residential Housing computers and the on-campus computers from outside attacks. The firewall is currently operational. The firewall prohibits network entry to an on-campus and Residential Housing computer unless there is a specific request by the computer owner/administrator to do such. An example of this is access to the Cal Poly website from an off-campus computer. In this case, the Web site's administrator must request off campus network accessibility for their server (called a pinhole). If you need to request a pinhole for your machine, please contact your LAN Coordinator directly. If you do not have a LAN Coordinator, call the Help Desk at 756-7000 or open a service request via the Web at http://servicedesk.calpoly.edu and click on "Submit A Service Request".
The third element for increased campus computing security is email scanning at the firewall. This scan will protect against email attacks for all email users on the inside of the firewall (jmustang@calpoly.edu as example). The email scanner also scans out-going email to help protect the people we communicate with -- both on and off campus. All of these steps will help reduce the attacks on our personal data - but computer users still need to be cautious when downloading files and opening emails. The protection against all of these attacks will never be 100% effective; the nature of the anti-virus industry is reactive to attacks. Cal Poly users are the final level of protection and need to be responsible when using computers.
All members of the Cal Poly campus community should be familiar with the campus "Responsible Use Policy".
Visit http://www.calpoly.edu/computing/policy.html for the full-text version of the campus policy and Frequently Asked Questions.
Thank you for your help and assistance supporting safer computing Cal Poly computing environment.
