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Technology Update - September 28, 2012 - New Students

Table of Contents

Welcome to Tech Update
What's Important for New Students to Know and Do?
Setting Up a Wired Connection (ResNet)
Setting Up Wireless Internet Access
Getting Site-Licensed and Discounted Software
Know the Acceptable Use Policy and Copyright Laws
Resetting Your Drexel Computer Accounts Passwords
Protect Your Identity, Protect Your Password
Virus/Phishing Protection and Prevention
What If I Need Technology Help?

Welcome to Tech Update

Welcome to Drexel University!

The IRT Technology Update (or Tech Update), a periodic email publication from the Office of Information Resources and Technology, is our way of informing Drexel students, faculty, and staff of the services that IRT offers. In each issue, you'll find information about new or revised services, news from the computing world, technologies such as Drexel Learn (our online learning management system, or LMS), warnings about computer security, new products and software updates, and more.

This special issue covers topics of interest to new students. Shortly, you will also receive the Tech Update for the general Drexel community. We normally publish issues twice per term, and sometimes more often if there are urgent matters to communicate. On occasion, Tech Alerts are sent via email between Tech Update issues and news items are posted to the IRT home page.

Past issues of the IRT Technology Update are posted in the archive for your convenience.

What's Important for New Students to Know and Do?

College is a new experience, and computing at college can be both a challenging and rewarding part of it. That’s why IRT is here to help with your computing needs. If you are wondering how to get started or need some help, see the last article in this issue or check out these handy sites:

  • In your on-campus room, register your wired Internet port. Visit Campus Housing Networks for more information.
  • Connecting to Drexel’s preferred wireless network is easy with the DragonFly3 Installation Wizard for Windows, MacOS, or iOS (iPhone, iPad, iTouch).  Review these instructions for wireless.

    NOTE: If you are purchasing a new wireless computer for Drexel, ensure that it has a dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi card for the best network performance. This is essential. More information can be found on the IRT Web site.
  • Review the Software Site for software you might want to use.
  • Be sure to check out AskDrexel, a searchable knowledge base of frequently-asked technology questions at Drexel.
  • Re-read the Acceptable Use Policy.
  • Review the New Student Technology Checklist in case you forgot anything.

You can also check out the Quick Guide for Students for additional help.

Setting Up a Wired Connection (ResNet)

All residence hall rooms provide students with a network jack for access to Drexel’s wired network, the fastest network option available on campus.

Plug your computer's network cable into the jack, which is typically located in the lower left (or just the lower) position of the face plate located in your bedroom or common room. For a listing of all active jacks see Jacks with Active Service.

After you plug in, browse to any Web site or go directly to https://dormproxy.irt.drexel.edu and follow the on-screen instructions exactly to activate your jack and connect to the Internet. Don’t skip steps or your connection might not work. The registration process will help you update your anti-virus software (Drexel currently offers Sophos Endpoint Protection), check your computer for infection, verify settings, and register your computer for Drexel's network.

If your first attempt to register your jack has failed for any reason, or if the virus scan finds an infection, please call the IRT Help Desk. All ResNet troubleshooting must be done in your room while your computer is connected to your network jack. To contact the IRT Help Desk, email consult@drexel.edu or call 215-895-2020 (select option 5, then option 1). If you leave a message, include your full name, phone number, and a detailed description of the problem (what you were doing or the error you are receiving).

Setting Up Wireless Internet Access

DragonFly3 is the University's preferred wireless network available to students, faculty, and staff with a current University User ID. The DragonFly3 Installation Wizard makes configuration quick and easy.

To Connect your Mac, Windows, or iPad/IPhone/iPod to DragonFly3 while on-campus connect your wireless device to the DrexelGuest network.  Start your web browser and click the DragonFly3 Installation Wizard link from the Guest Network Home Page.

For more information and instructions for other operating systems please see  Connect to DragonFly3 instructions.

Devices that do not support WPA2 and 8021.X user name authentication should connect to the legacy DragonFly network. Some Wi-Fi game consoles and cell phones cannot work with the security needed to access DragonFly3. Those devices, and computers having trouble connecting to dragonfly3, should connect to DragonFly.

A current University User ID and device registration is necessary to use DragonFly.

Only use DragonFly if your device can't support DragonFly3. See the detailed DragonFly configuration and registration instructions.

If you are having trouble, you can bring your computer to the IRT Help Desk at Korman Computing Center (33rd Street between Chestnut and Market, facing the Quad) or contact the Help Desk at consult@drexel.edu or 215-895-2020 (select option 5, then option 1).

Getting Site-Licensed and Discounted Software

Sophos Endpoint Protection anti-virus software should be installed as part of the network registration process; this is a requirement for students living in Drexel residence halls, and strongly recommended for everyone else. Additionally, some departments require specialized programs such as Visual Studio (software development suite), IBM SPSS (statistical analysis package), MATLAB (numerical computation tool), or SSH (Secure Shell, for secure data exchange over a network).

These and other software programs are site-licensed for the Drexel community. To download software, log in with your Drexel username and password at https://software.drexel.edu. You can also view a list of available software.

Some instructors might require their students to have Microsoft Office installed on their computers in order to complete classwork. If your computer did not come with Office, then discounted copies can be purchased through JourneyEd under the "drexel" tab in DrexelOne at https://one.drexel.edu.

If you would like to purchase other productivity software for a nominal fee, Drexel's partnerships provide discounted software through third parties such as JourneyEd and eAcademy. Log into DrexelOne, click on the "drexel" tab, and look in the "Hardware and Software" section. Software purchased through these third-party sites can be downloaded or mailed to you on CD/DVD media.

Know the Acceptable Use Policy and Copyright Laws

All members of the Drexel community agree to abide by the University's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) as a condition of activating their computer accounts and using Drexel's network and computing resources. The AUP provides guidelines concerning computer account use, copyright, information security, activities that are prohibited on the network, and more. Read the AUP in full here.

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) describes federally-prohibited activities involving copyrighted material. It covers P2P software, illegal copying and distribution, and the consequences of violation. Action will be taken against users who violate the DMCA by illegally downloading and/or distributing copyrighted material on Drexel’s network—all in accordance with US law and the RIAA.

In other words—don't download or distribute materials for which you do not have permission from the copyright holder. The consequences can be very serious, and violation of the DMCA constitutes a criminal offense.

See more information about copyright on the IRT Web site, or view Drexel University's Copyright Policy.

Resetting Your Drexel Computer Accounts Passwords

It's easy to forget a password—especially when you have to remember so many of them! But don’t worry; if you forget your password, there are several options available.

The first option is to use the Password Reset Service. When you pick up your accounts through the Accounts Management service, you will be prompted to set up the Password Reset Service security questions and answers. Then, when and if you ever need to use it, password help will be available by clicking the "Help! I forgot my password" link on the Accounts Management login screen. If you do not set up the Password Reset Service, you will only be able to reset your password once (subsequent resets will require that you previously set up the service).

If you are unable to access the Password Reset Service, you can have IRT reset your password for you. To request a password reset, call the IRT Help Desk at 215-895-2020. IRT will not reset passwords via email and service is limited to standard office hours. If you sometimes work at night and need a password reset, set up the Password Reset Service when prompted at accounts pickup so that you don’t get stuck just before a critical paper is due.

If you would like to change your password, log into Accounts Management, click "Continue," and then click the keys icon near the top of the page. Follow the instructions to choose your new password. Here are some tips for choosing a strong password that meets Drexel’s password requirements:

  1. It must be between 6 and 16 characters in length.
  2. It must contain at least two letters and at least one non-alphabetical character that falls somewhere inside the password (not just at the beginning or end).
  3. It should not match any word found in an unabridged dictionary or "most common passwords" lists, such as Time’s 25 Most Popular (and Worst) Passwords of 2011.
  4. The new password must differ from the old one by at least three characters.
  5. The new password should not be one you used recently.

Additionally, you should avoid using your name, nickname, birth date, Social Security number, easily-guessed number/letter sequences (e.g., 123456 or abcdef), or any combinations thereof.

Protect Your Identity, Protect Your Password

Your Drexel computer accounts password is an integral part of your Drexel identity. Keep it secret, keep it safe—and don't share it under any circumstances.

That's the message of Article II of Drexel's Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) as well as several other sections of the AUP. The "why" is simple: With your password, anyone can access your private information and, if so inclined, misuse it.

Furthermore, your password constitutes your legal signature; you are responsible for anything that is done via your computer accounts.

A single act of carelessness on an individual’s part can make him or her vulnerable to identity theft, forgery, or fraud. So keep these points in mind when managing your password security:

  • Do not give your password to anyone—not your best friend, not your twin sister, not your boss. Never give out your password to anyone claiming to need it for technical support purposes, no matter who makes the request. (IRT will never request your password for any reason.)  Your password is for your use alone.
  • Do not write down your password or leave it in a conspicuous place. Writing it on a post-it note or scrap of paper and placing it on your monitor or under your keyboard allows others to gain easy access to your password. If you need to write it down to remember it, keep it under lock and key in a location that is not in close proximity to your computer.  If you need to keep track of numerous passwords, consider trying out a "password safe" app on your computer or smartphone. These apps allow you to use a master password to access a list of your other passwords.
  • Create a strong, secure password and change it periodically through Accounts Management. See "Resetting Your Drexel Computer Accounts Passwords" above for tips.
  • Don't use the same password that you use for online banking or for Web sites that require you to register with personal, confidential, or sensitive information.

Finally, keep your computer free of viruses and malware to prevent keyloggers or other forms of malware from stealing your password(s).

Virus/Phishing Protection and Prevention

Malicious individuals are constantly developing new viruses and phishing schemes. Computer users should remain vigilant and follow basic safety precautions to keep their computers free from infection (though IRT does filter incoming and outgoing mail for suspected phishing scams and potential viruses). Here are some tips to prevent you (and your computer) from falling victim to a phishing scheme or a virus:

  1. NEVER open an attachment to an email that appears to be spam or that is sent from an unknown source. Email attachments can contain Trojan viruses or install malware that can steal your personal information or cause your computer to function abnormally.
  2. NEVER give out your passwords to anyone, including friends, relatives, and even members of the IRT staff. And remember that legitimate organizations will never ask for your login credentials over the phone, through email, or any other method.
  3. Don’t blindly click on hyperlinks, particularly in emails of unknown origin. A common scam is to redirect a legitimate link to a Web page that installs a trojan or other malware. Always check URLs by hovering over the link to see if the underlying URL matches the one displayed in the body of the email.
  4. As viruses change, so does the software needed to protect you from them. Keep your anti-virus software up-to-date with the latest updates and virus definitions by installing Sophos Endpoint Protection, which is available for PC and Mac at https://software.drexel.edu.
  5. Scan your computer at least once a week for viruses. Many anti-virus programs can be configured to scan automatically at a given frequency. Also, many programs offer a "smart" or "quick" scan option along with the full scan option. Although most scans can be "quick" scans, be sure to occasionally select the full scan.
  6. Be wary of suspicious-looking Web sites. If the site doesn’t appear trustworthy or is poorly maintained, avoid clicking links or downloading content from that site. Also, avoid downloading content from peer-to-peer (P2P) programs such as LimeWire, Soulseek, BitTorrent, and others.
  7. Be mindful of where you make your email address visible (i.e. social networking sites), and who you give it to (e.g. via Web site registrations or email). Spammers sometimes use "Web crawlers" to search the Web for addresses to spam.
  8. Delete spam immediately. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t respond to it, and never, ever give out personal information. Even if it’s from "Drexel University Technical Support"—which is, by the way, a scammer in disguise.

What If I Need Technology Help?

The IRT Help Desk, as the name implies, is here to help you with your technology questions!

Individuals who encounter problems with their Drexel computer accounts, network access, wireless registration, software download/installation, etc., can contact the IRT Help Desk in the Korman Center (University City campus):

Or the Help Desk in the New College Building (Center City campus):

If you send an email or leave a voicemail message, include complete contact information (name, phone number, Drexel email address, and a non-Drexel email address if you have one) as well as a detailed description of your problem or request. Providing IRT with the right information upfront helps us help you more quickly.

You can also search AskDrexel, our online technology FAQ, if you have any questions about your accounts or technology services. Oftentimes, others have asked and had answered questions that might be similar to yours.

If you need help with Drexel Learn, Drexel’s learning management system, go to http://www.drexel.edu/irt/learn to access informational videos and other helpful information, or email the Online Learning Team at olt@drexel.edu.

For additional information about services provided by IRT, visit our Web site. Basic technology information for Drexel students can also be found in the Quick Guide for Students. If you have not already received a copy, you may pick one up at the Front Desk in the Korman Computing Center.