Computer security while at college

[kayson]

I'm off to college and I have my pc hooked up to the free internet, and I want to make sure its protected. I have windows firewall, but I doubt that would really stop anyone who really wants to get in. What's a good, free firewall that doesn't use a lot of resources?

They also require that you use a certain antivirus. I was using AVG free, but their clearaccess program requires that you get either norton antivirus, mcafee virus scan, or some trend micro product. Is there any way to get the software to recognize avg? If not, which of those should I use?

[TalRW]

are they using the cisco clean access agent, if they are PM me.

[~(o)-(0)~]

ok, well if u have a Pentium or pentium 2 lying around u can run a smoothwall or IPcop on that as a router, that should protect you pretty well.

As for antivirus u can always use kaspersky, its pretty good.

[gorilly]

if they allow it, get a cheap router.

if they dont allow a router get zone alarm firewall for free. google it

im sure you will be behind a firewall at college so you are safe from the internet, i would worry about the other users on the network. although i expect that there is some type of isolation so you cant see each other

[CreePinG_DeatH]

While using their network, I would suggest using something they support. If something were to go wrong, they should have tech support who will fix and issues.

If your surfing habbits are up to par, this is really a moot issue. The university's firewalls should block most of this stuff anyway. Usually when someone thinks they know better do these problems arise.

[klingens]

How can anyone check what AV software I use, purely from looking at my host(s) from the outside? Any AV software that opens ports is no AV software but a security risk, so how would they do it?

[gorilly]

How can anyone check what AV software I use, purely from looking at my host(s) from the outside? Any AV software that opens ports is no AV software but a security risk, so how would they do it?


they can see who you use by seeing which update server you are using?

maybe they have a proxy which is caching certain updates for certain AVs

[TalRW]

How can anyone check what AV software I use, purely from looking at my host(s) from the outside? Any AV software that opens ports is no AV software but a security risk, so how would they do it?

At my school they made you install a program called cisco clean access agent that everyone hated. It actually checks your PC for a "working virus scanner" it's supposed to keep the network virus free but the problem is it wasn't set up or implemented well so it only supported one virus scanner. Mcafee. So for example I prefered Avast and it would keep saying I don't have a virus scanner and would block me from the network. Some of the more savy tech people find ways to get around the program but I won't go into that here.

[Captain Newbie]

While using their network, I would suggest using something they support. If something were to go wrong, they should have tech support who will fix and issues.
In some places, you are *required* (partially justly...you don't want the school's network to be the Wild Wild West, although it often winds up as such anyway!) to use university-provided stuff. I blame hackers and the RIAA, and not necessarily in that order.

I'm sick and tired of seeing schools used as launching points for Net worms and other nasty software due to a complete lack of security.

My take on it? If they require it, they should pay for it and support it. And they should make god-damned sure it WORKS. They should also accomadate alt-OS users.
If your surfing habbits are up to par, this is really a moot issue. The university's firewalls should block most of this stuff anyway. Usually when someone thinks they know better do these problems arise.
Yup.

And remember, because they own the wires between the wall and the Intarweb...anything you do is subject to logging. It's typically not watched, but...the logs are there. So be careful.

[dicecca112]

At my school they made you install a program called cisco clean access agent that everyone hated. It actually checks your PC for a "working virus scanner" it's supposed to keep the network virus free but the problem is it wasn't set up or implemented well so it only supported one virus scanner. Mcafee. So for example I prefered Avast and it would keep saying I don't have a virus scanner and would block me from the network. Some of the more savy tech people find ways to get around the program but I won't go into that here.

that software is a blatant intrusion of privacy we have it at my school, and a proffessor and I discover that it doesn't just check for AV, it checks for Pirated version of software, takes periodic screen shots, takes list of what sites your going on, can potentially read your IMs and email. to put it lightly it caused a huge stink, and removal of the software.

[Captain Newbie]

that software is a blatant intrusion of privacy we have it at my school, and a proffessor and I discover that it doesn't just check for AV, it checks for Pirated version of software, takes periodic screen shots, takes list of what sites your going on, can potentially read your IMs and email. to put it lightly it caused a huge stink, and removal of the software.
It's not an invasion of privacy in the legal sense, and anyone who says so needs to pay careful attention to the Wiretap Act and the papers you sign at move-in. You sign an acceptable use policy with the school when you move into the campus network. Additionally 18 USC 2511 (2) says that a network service provider may monitor or record communications if they have "reasonable suspicion" that their other users, or assets, are at risk by your actions.

Put another way...you, and the police, have a right to know if a registered sex offender lives on your street. Software, movie, and music piracy is a crime. While I do not agree with the current methods of prosecution (some of which *are* de jure illegal, although the point has not yet been raised judicially), we do need to respect that there *are* people who put their economic future in the software industry, or music or movie industry. Should they be filthy rich? Of course not. They should be responsible and well-off, commensurate with the value of their product. (Note, media piracy and RSO-stuff are not anywhere near commensurate in actual severity and should not be viewed as equal, but software piracy is still against the law.)

Don't like the product? Don't use it. And for Chrissakes...don't break the law.

(Before you jump down my throat...Note that reasonable suspicion is not carte blanche; in the event that it goes to trial, there actually *DOES* have to be a reasonable suspicion that you screwed up/violated IAUP for the evidence to stand. It's the same thing in corporations. At $WORK, an investigation into personally-identifiable information requires written signed consent of several legal, HR, and IS groups. There are checks and balances...or there should be.)

[RJARRRPCGP]

that software is a blatant intrusion of privacy we have it at my school, and a proffessor and I discover that it doesn't just check for AV, it checks for Pirated version of software, takes periodic screen shots, takes list of what sites your going on, can potentially read your IMs and email. to put it lightly it caused a huge stink, and removal of the software.

Which pirated software does it check for? I'm worried, because it may decide to say that my copy of Windows is pirated even when it isn't. In fact, even WGA passes with my copy of Windows, thus I shan't have to worry!:mad:

[ps2cho]

Sygate Personal Firewall. Its damn good.