Stay Connected this Summer
May 2007
Traveling away from campus this summer? Before you leave, make sure you know how to properly connect to the Northwestern Network away from campus and remember to set automatic software and antivirus updates. The last thing you want is a technical error to ruin your holiday.
When you travel, it can be convenient to ignore software update reminders on your laptop, but your machine is vulnerable to attack if you put them off. Instead, set your updates to run automatically. For PCs, go to My Computer / Properties / Automatic Updates; for Mac OS X, go to Apple / System Preferences / Software Update.
Antivirus updates are equally important for technical survival. If you are using the University-provided antivirus software, Symantec, is it set to run updates from off campus? It may currently access updates from campus servers, but while away from campus, your computer could be vulnerable to viruses. Get Symantec/Norton LiveUpdate from off campus by using the switch tool.
Don’t forget to configure your computer for a secure Virtual Private Network connection. While connecting to the Northwestern Network might be important, it’s more important that you keep a secure connection, especially when working with sensitive data.
To Forward or Redirect?
Did you know that you can receive all incoming e-mail addressed to your standard NU e-mail address by forwarding or redirecting your mail this summer? Sometimes it seems like forwarding and redirecting are identical, but they are actually quite different.
Forwarding your e-mail is more of a temporary e-mail solution. If you’d prefer to have your Northwestern e-mail sent to an alternate e-mail address while away this summer, you should forward your mail.
If you plan to rarely use your Northwestern e-mail address, you should redirect your mail. More specified forwarding and redirecting scenarios are available on the forwarding and redirecting page.
If you choose to use these features, make sure you are forwarding and redirecting to safe and secure accounts.
iPass Connected?
Before leaving this summer, you might want to look into installing iPassConnect on your handheld device or laptop. This international commercial Internet service, available to faculty and staff on a monthly for-fee basis, aims to simplify your remote and mobile user connectivity with single, consistent log in experience.
Give the award-winning software a try this summer if you plan to conduct University business while away.
Get Secure
Protecting the Northwestern Network is often the last thing to think about when leaving campus. But think back: have you cleared all of your personally identifiable information (PII) from your computer recently? When was the last time you cleared your cookies?
If your computer is used by someone else while you’re gone, make sure any PII is backed up elsewhere and deleted from your hard drive.
Review the Get Secure brochure for NUIT’s security guidelines to prevent any possible security incidents before heading away. Threats to your computer, personal information, and to Northwestern's Network don’t take a summer vacation.
For more information, contact your local technical support specialist or the NUIT Support Center at 847-491-HELP (4357) or consultant@northwestern.edu.
