U. Nebraska-Lincoln students returning to residence halls this year found a changed system of accessing ResNet, the residence hall wireless Internet network.
They are now required to have SafeConnect, a product meant to help keep campus computers secure and safe from viruses. However, some students have found SafeConnect leads to more problems than solutions.
SafeConnect is essentially a registration and monitoring program, said Larry James, ResNet manager for UNL’s Information Services. The program requires students to install a policy key, which checks each computer for registration, antivirus software and whether or not it is set to receive security updates. If the computer does not have antivirus software, SafeConnect will “quarantine” the computer from the Internet. Instead of allowing students to browse the Web, SafeConnect directs them to links for free antivirus software, James said.
SafeConnect also monitors P2P (peer-to-peer) file sharing applications. James said SafeConnect will warn students every 12 hours if a P2P application is running. It will not, however, block the application, because there are legal uses of those applications.
“Our intention is not to block things. It’s to make sure students understand the risks,” he said.
ResNet may also mean bad news for students caught illegally downloading files. James said SafeConnect extends the ability of ResNet to help the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) match students to their IP addresses.
“With the old registration system, students only registered once a year,” he said. “With SafeConnect, you have to log in about once a week.”
This helps the university give the RIAA information with more certainty, because registration records are more up to date.
However, SafeConnect is not without problems. Particularly in the first few weeks, there were issues with SafeConnect not recognizing legitimate anti-virus software, James said.
Ian Rochford, a junior biology major, is one student who had problems with SafeConnect. Before moving into the residence halls, he purchased a new computer and, with it, a year of Webroot, a brand of antivirus software SafeConnect did not recognize.
When Rochford contacted the ResNet office, they recommended he download one of the free anti-virus programs instead. Rochford followed their advice, but while he was then able to access the Internet, his computer began having issues.
“It just didn’t perform well,” he said. “It took 20 minutes to boot up.”
Rochford later discovered that his free anti-virus software, Sophos, was interacting poorly with Webroot. He uninstalled Webroot, and said that since then, his computer has returned to normal function.
However, he said he’s still annoyed he has to use the free antivirus software, which he believes is inferior to the software he purchased.
James said ResNet is working to solve such problems. A majority of students’ problems were solved when they switched to the free antivirus software, he said. In the case of those who purchased antivirus software, the ResNet office has been working with SafeConnect to ensure that those programs will be recognized so students won’t feel like they’ve wasted money.
For students who are still having problems, James recommends calling the ResNet office or the Computer Help Center. He also warns that a problem with SafeConnect may point to a problem with the computer itself. Those unable to install the policy key often find that their computers have been infested with spyware. Students who think they are receiving erroneous warnings about P2P applications sometimes discover that their computers have been hacked and are running the applications without their knowledge. Whatever the issue, he said ResNet will help students find the solution.
Overall, James said he thinks SafeConnect has been a success, and if it continues to perform well, UNL may extend it to the rest of campus.