Below you'll find information on some of the upcoming changes CaTS is making to ensure the university's computing environment stays secure and accessible. If you have questions about any of these projects, feel free to contact the Help Desk at (937) 775-4827 or 1-888-775-4827.
1) Transition from McAfee Anti-virus to Microsoft Forefront
In April 2011, CaTS will begin phasing out the use of the McAfee Anti-virus software currently in use on all university Windows-based computers, and will be making a transition to Microsoft Forefront Security software. During this transition, all university-owned Windows-based computers will automatically receive the Microsoft Forefront software over the campus network, while the McAfee Anti-virus software will be automatically removed. This process runs in the background of your computer; you will not need to do anything to complete this process. Also note that this change will not occur on Macintosh computers; CaTS is currently evaluating an alternative for that platform.
For faculty and staff with home computers and for currently enrolled students, CaTS will offer the Windows version of Microsoft Security Essentials software free of charge, which includes anti-virus protection. This software can be downloaded on the CaTS Anti-virus website, located at Anti-virus Software.
Please note: You MUST uninstall any anti-virus software (such as McAfee) that is currently installed on your home computer in order to successfully install the Microsoft Security Essentials software. If you would like assistance with uninstalling anti-virus software from your computer, please contact the CaTS Help Desk at (937) 775-4827, or toll free at 1-888-775-4827.
2) Upcoming Changes to Mute Option on Classroom Video Projector
Beginning in spring quarter, instructors who use the video projectors in the classrooms will see a change to how the MUTE function operates. Currently, pressing the MUTE button for the projector hides the instructor station’s screen from the classroom’s view. However, if the MUTE button is not turned off after the class is over, the lamps in the video projector continue to burn, building up harmful levels of heat. This can cause the lamps to burn out earlier than they should.
To remedy this, CaTS will begin setting the MUTE button to timeout after 24 minutes. Once an instructor presses the MUTE button, the screen image will disappear, but after 24 minutes, the MUTE button will turn itself off and the screen image will reappear.
Further instructions on using the MUTE button will be placed in a prominent location in all classrooms with a video projector. If you have questions concerning this change, please contact the CaTS Help Desk at (937) 775-4827 or 1-888-775-4827.
3) New Requirement for Accessing the unixapps1 Server From Off Campus
On March 22, 2011, CaTS will begin requiring all users who connect to the unixapps1 server from an off campus connection to use the university’s VPN connection (see more information below). The unixapps1 server is used by students to access applications such as MySQL, Oracle databases, SAS for statistics, source code compilers such as GNU C, and their personal university website. Faculty and staff also use the unixapps1 server to access their personal websites.
The university’s VPN connection allows authorized users to securely connect to the WSU data network, and prevents unauthorized use of the network. To connect to the unixapps1 server from off campus, you will be required to install the VPN software on your computer and use it to connect to the university’s network. To learn more about the university’s VPN connection, including download, installation, and usage instructions, please visit The VPN Website.
4) Peer to Peer File Sharing Now Blocked on WSU Wireless Network
On March 22, 2011, CaTS will begin blocking all peer-to-peer file sharing on the campus authenticated wireless network (the “WSU Wireless” signal). For our purposes, peer-to-peer file sharing is defined as using software or other methods to illegally download music, movies, and software using the university wireless network. This change is being made to reduce the amount of this illegal downloading. If you use the wireless signal for normal web browsing, this change will not limit your ability to download legitimate software or use the Internet. If you have questions concerning this change, please contact the CaTS Help Desk at (937) 775-4827 or 1-888-775-4827.
