Inside:

Protect Your Wireless Communications with "Umd-secure"

by Henderson Jones

Are you still connecting to the Web using the university’s wireless network by opening a Web browser and logging in via a Web page? If so, then you are using the older “umd” network, and other laptops in your vicinity could potentially monitor your communications. The good news is that “umd-secure” is also available and delivers an encrypted connection to the university network. “Umd-secure” uses WPA2 technology to ensure that all communications between your computer and the network are secure and cannot be understood by anyone who intercepts your wireless signals.

There are some set-up steps you’ll need to complete before you can use “umd-secure,” but the increased security is worth your time investment. New how-to guides are available at www.oit.umd.edu/nts/noc/wireless/connect.html to help you connect to “umd-secure” using Windows Vista, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard), and mobile devices like iPhones and iPod touches. You can also connect using Windows XP and Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger).

Cellular Coverage

by Tim Shortall and Sarah Silvaroli Daul

“Can you hear me now?”

OIT hopes students will soon answer with a resounding yes.

After exploring how to best enhance cellular coverage on campus, OIT is collaborating with several cellular providers to install antennae in selected locations across campus. A new Verizon Wireless antenna was installed in the Hornbake Plaza area. OIT is in the final stages of negotiating with AT&T to provide a temporary Cell-On-Wheels (COW) antenna for improved coverage. Also, AT&T will be providing a formal proposal to campus for a standard tower. In addition, OIT has met with T-Mobile, and they are currently in the process of boosting signals on the perimeter of the campus and discussing alternative approaches to improving coverage.

The Verizon Wireless antenna and AT&T COW will have the greatest impact on external cellular coverage, but may improve internal coverage as well.

Unsanitary Use of Memory Sticks Can Lead to Infection

by Gerry Sneeringer

Whether you call them memory sticks, USB keys, or flash drives, there is no denying that these small devices have revolutionized the way in which we copy documents, images, music, and video from one computer to another. A reusable drive capable of holding the contents of four DVDs can be purchased for less than $50.

Unfortunately, the growing use of these devices has prompted the re-emergence of a computer security issue that has been lying dormant since the demise of the floppy disk — the transmission of computer viruses using human carrier pigeons. There has been a recent increase in the number of viruses that spread by silently jumping onto an inserted stick. The virus-on-a-stick is installed in such a way that Windows may automatically launch the virus when the stick is inserted into another computer. When memory sticks are passed around or a number of them are inserted into the same computer, there is potential for a virus to spread rapidly.

What to do? You want to keep your keys safe from infection and your computer safe from infected keys. If you insert your key into an infected computer, there is very little that you can do to prevent a determined virus from invading your drive. As long as the key is inserted, it is at the mercy of the host computer. Reduce your risk by plugging your key into the computers of others only when absolutely necessary. Separate keys that you use for personal storage from ones that you use for sharing. Assume that files on your sharing keys might be destroyed; do not store anything on them that cannot be replaced. Naturally, the sharing key should not contain files that you would not want to share with the world.

How do you protect your computer from infected keys? The number one answer is the same now as it was with floppies: use an antivirus product that automatically receives updates to combat emerging viruses. Members of the university community can download software like this from the OIT Help Desk (www.helpdesk.umd.edu/virus/software.shtml).

For additional protection, ensure that your computer does not “auto-run” programs on USB keys when they are inserted after being used elsewhere. Some keys masquerade as CD drives when inserted, so blocking auto-run for programs on CDs is also a good idea. Windows XP users can prevent auto-run by holding the left Shift key while inserting the USB key. Vista users need to turn off the feature from their computer’s Control Panel. Once the key is assigned to a drive, use My Computer to explore the key to ensure that you recognize all of the files stored on it.