Desktop Computer Drivers Ed

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Desktop ComputerDrivers Ed

• Learn how to be a
• responsible computer user
• at the
• University of Maryland Libraries

Sponsored by the Desktop Services Committee Fall
2007
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Overview

• Part 1 - Dangers and Security in the Cyberworld
• Part 2 - Libraries Local Area Network (LAN)
• Part 3 - The Universitys Information Technology
  Environment

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Where is my computer?
Internet (or WAN)
Campus Network (or MAN)
Libraries Network (or LAN)
Your computer
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Dangers and Security in the Cyberworld

• Today, we worry much less about someone
• physically stealing our computer
• and worry much more about unseen invaders
• attacking our computer from around the world.

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Hidden DangersHackers

• Hidden invaders
• Popularly known as Hackers.
• They want to access your computer
• for the thrill of the hunt, because your
  computer is connected to the Internet
• they need storage space or bandwidth
• because they are ethically irresponsible.

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Hidden DangersHackers (continued)

• Hackers
• Often use various means to break into a computer
  such as
• hacking computers using existing user names
  passwords
• finding weaknesses in software/operating
  systems
• sending viruses through e-mail attachments and
  web site pop-ups.

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Hidden DangersViruses

• Viruses
• Computer programs designed to spread from file to
  file on a computer. It is activated by user
  intervention (i.e. opening infected attachment or
  running infected program)
• Behavior
• infect every application file or document on an
  individual computer
• Spread by
• opening infected email document attachments,
  programs on diskettes/flash drives, etc., or file
  servers.

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Hidden DangersWorms

• Worms
• Computer programs designed to copy themselves
  from one computer to another over a network,
  without user intervention.
• Behavior
• affect network performance and consume bandwidth
• Spread by
• replicating itself to many computers over a
  network, and doesnt require action on users
  part. Thus computer worms spread much more
  rapidly than computer viruses.

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Hidden DangersTrojan Horses

• Trojan Horses
• Computer programs that claim to be something
  desirable (e.g. screen saver, game) but actually
  contain malicious code that can delete or steal
  data.
• Behavior
• Allows others to remotely gain access to your
  computer, letting them steal passwords, credit
  card numbers, online banking data, or other
  personal information.
• Spread by
• to install a trojan horse you must invite them
  to your computer by opening an e-mail attachment
  or by downloading a file from the Internet.

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Hidden DangersPhishing

• Phishing
• A form of criminal activity that uses fake web
  pages, emails, or even faxes to acquire sensitive
  information such as passwords and credit card
  details.
• Phishing does not affect your personal computer
  or network.

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SecuritySoftware Upgrades

• Upgrades are performed on a regular basis to
  protect Library computers against viruses and
  hackers.
• Whenever Microsoft releases a patch to its
  Windows Operating Systems, ITD is prepared to
  upgrade Library staff remotely.

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SecurityAnti-Virus Software

• McAfee Anti-Virus is installed on your computer
  to protect against unseen invaders.
• McAfee checks for updates every five minutes,
  every day.
• We get new virus definition files every day.
• Dont touch it!
• If you see this symbol
• it means McAfee is running.

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Be a better driverPop-ups

• ALWAYS click on the ? at the very top right of
  the pop-up window or use the key combination
  ALT-F4. Never click close buttons.
• When you click on text buttons (e.g. Close),
  unwanted software may download onto your computer.

Click here!
Never here!
Dont click this!
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Be a better driverAttachments

• Many computer viruses are transmitted through
  e-mail attachments.
• If you are unsure of the e-mail senders identity
  do not open the attachment.
• Be aware of documents that have these file
  extensions
• strategicplan.exe
• merit.pif
• mtgminutes.com
• my_document.zip
• teamworkplan.doc (especially from people you
  dont know).

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Be a better driver Downloading

• Avoid downloading software. Do you really need
  that Heroes screen saver, or the latest version
  of Solitaire Deluxe?
• Seemingly free programs often come with hidden
  agendas (i.e. trojans) that can ruin your
  computer.
• Do not download unknown items onto your work
  computer.
• You are obliged to request all software using the
  Software Site License Request Form
• www.lib.umd.edu/itd/help/SOFTWARE/Request.htm

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Dangers and Security in the Cyberworld Summary

• Your computer doesnt stand alone it is
  connected to the Libraries network, the
  universitys network, and the global Internet
• Close pop-up windows properly
• Never open questionable attachments
• Dont download anything from the Web without
  first getting authorization
• Report all computer problems to the ITD Help
  Desk, so that problems are tracked and issues
  can be resolved.

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Libraries LAN (or Local Area Network)

• The Libraries LAN supports public access
  computing, instructional computing, and
  administrative (staff) computing.

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The LAN

• A LAN (Local Area Network)
• is a group of computers that share a common
  communications line or wireless link
• are the resources of a single processor or server
  within a small geographic area (for example,
  within an office building).
• A LAN may serve
• as few as two or three users (for example, in a
  home network)
• as many as thousands of users (for example, in
  the Libraries).

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The LAN (Servers)

• A SERVER
• is a central computer that allows users to share
  applications and store data.
• The servers in ITD provide
• Secure and flexible file management
• Protection from hackers and viruses
• Quick and seamless software upgrades.

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The LANThe Libraries LAN Domains
A DOMAIN is a group of computers and devices on a
network that are administered as a unit with
common rules and procedures.
PUBLIC (Libpub)
STAFF (LIBLAN)
LABS (Libpub)
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The LANLibraries Staff Domain
Different servers affect different aspects of our
work in the Libraries
MANAGEMENT SERVER
PROFILE SERVER
WORKSTATION
DATA SERVER
PRINTER SERVER
INVENTORY SERVER
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The LANManagement Server

• The Management Server provides ITD with the
  capability to upgrade and install software,
  including security updates, without having to
  visit each individual workstation.
• System Management Server (SMS)
• installs and upgrades software and images
• Windows Update Server (WSUS)
• applies security patches to the Microsoft
  operating system and application software
• E-Policy Orchestrator
• installs and updates McAfee virus detection
  software
• Group-Policy
• applies LAN-wide security policies

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The LANManagement Server (contd)

• Most installs and upgrades are regularly applied
  after hours.
• In order to receive installs and upgrades,
  workstations must
• be logged off the LAN
• powered on
• and linked to the campus network.
• E-Policy Orchestrator may apply upgrades to the
  McAfee virus detection software even while
  workstations are logged onto the LAN.

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The LANProfile Server

• Houses the unique user-customized configurations
  for each LAN account including
• Browsers (Netscape, IE, Firefox)
• E-mail clients
• MS-Office
• Desktops
• Printers.
• When logging onto the LAN, the server downloads
  the profile to the workstation.
• When logging off the LAN, local changes to the
  profile are saved on the server.

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The LANData Server

• Houses
• individual staff Z drives
• shared divisional, departmental, and special
  projects M drives.
• All work files should be saved to either a Z
  drive or M drive on the server.
• All Z and M drives on the Data server are
  backed up (copied) onto OIT servers nightly.
• Stay tuned for more on this later

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The LANPrinter Server

• Houses
• All staff networked printer configurations.

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The LANInventory Server

• Enables ITD to keep accurate records about
  Library computers so it can create efficient
  replacement schedules. This also helps solve
  problems!
• Contains workstation specific data concerning the
  hardware and software
• Runs the ITD Help Desk Track-IT problem
  management system
• Audits workstations when logging onto the LAN.
• If your workstation is not logged by the
  Inventory Server, then ITD doesnt know about it!

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THE LAN (File Management)
If a virus attacked the University of Maryland
Libraries server this morning and deleted all
the files, the loss would be minimal, because of
the existence of the backup copy!
If your files are stored on a workstation hard
drive and the hard drive breaks, you may be out
of luck, unless you back up your hard drive
daily. And who wants to worry about that?
ITD worries about it, so you dont have to!
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The LAN (File Management)M Drive

• The M Drive
• Is not actually on staff computers, its on the
  ITD Data Server
• Allows staff to share files and folders with
  other members of their division
• Is meant to be used for documents that are used
  by many individuals within a department.

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The LAN (File Management)Z Drive

• The Z Drive
• Is also not actually on staff computers, it is on
  the ITD Data Server
• Cannot be viewed by anyone unless they use a
  staff login and password (or happen to walk by
  the computer while an individual staff is logged
  in)
• Is meant to be used for the storage of documents
  of a personal/individual nature
• Can be accessed by clicking My Documents.

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The LAN (Logins)

• Staff must LOG IN to use the LAN
• A login name represents an account on the server
• Every staff member has a unique login that is
  usually assigned soon after their hire date.
• Every login requires a secure password in order
  to work.
• ITD is in the process of changing Window logins
  to Campus Directory IDs

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The LANBe a Better Driver

• Dont save data files or programs on the Desktop.
  A large Desktop means a longer login process.
• Use shortcuts on your desktop to access essential
  files and programs remember that software is
  tied to specific computers and not tied to a
  profile.
• Avoid fancy extras, like graphic mouse pointers
  and special sound effects.

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The LANBe a Better Driver

• Save all files to either the Z drive or the M
  drive.
• Both Z and M drives are stored on the LAN
  server.

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The LANBe a Better Driver

• Do NOT use the C drive for primary file storage.
  Files may be lost forever if the computer
  crashes.
• The C drive may be used to retain local backup
  copies. If so, save files to diskette or CD as
  well.

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The LANBe a Better Driver

• Restart the computer before leaving for the day.
  The Restart logs the computer off of the LAN.
• Leave the computer powered ON.

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The LANBe a Better Driver

• Create GOOD passwords
• To protect identity and files
• That are at least 8 characters long
• Intersperse upper/lower case letters, numbers,
  and punctuation symbols
• That can be remembered
• e.g. 0au2to0mo9bi19le64

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The LANBe a Better Driver

• Avoid BAD passwords
• Dont use personal info SSN, DOB, address
• Single word or 2 words separated by number or
  symbol
• Sequence of numbers or letters
• Hobby, song, celebrity
• Same password but with slight variation
• e.g., Dave
• e.g., tobeornottobe
• e.g., my password

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The LANBe a Better Driver

• Protect your password
• Dont share it with others
• Change your password regularly (directory
  passwords automatically expire every six months).
• When changing your password, old passwords can
  not be reused.
• Forgot your login/password? Call the ITD
  Helpdesk.

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Libraries LAN Summary

• Save all files on the LAN server
• Keep the Desktop clean
• Restart the computer before leaving, and leave
  your computer powered on
• Follow safe password guidelines

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Remind me - where is my computer?
Internet (or WAN)
Campus Network (or MAN)
Libraries Network (or LAN)
Your computer
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The University IT Environment

• OIT and ITD (Roles)
• OIT, ITD and Network Access
• OIT, ITD and Security
• OIT, ITD and E-mail

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OIT and ITD (Roles)

• Office of Information Technology (OIT)
• responsible for a variety of campus-wide services
  including the campus network infrastructure and
  security and e-mail.
• Libraries Information Technology Division (ITD)
  
• responsible for the Libraries information
  technology services and serves as liaison to OIT
  for network, security and e-mail issues.

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OIT, ITD and Network Access

• ITD is the central conduit for all of the
  Libraries network needs
• Cant access your M or Z drive? Call the ITD
  Help Desk!
• Cant find a file? Call the ITD Help Desk!
• Cant access the Internet? Call the ITD Help
  Desk!!!

When in doubt, call the ITD Help Desk! (x59188)
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OIT, ITD and Security

• OIT is constantly monitoring the network activity
  of all workstations on campus.
• When OIT detects a virus-infected or hacked
  workstation, OIT staff immediately isolates it
  from the campus network and contacts ITD.
• ITD diagnoses the cause of the problem, takes
  corrective action, then notifies OIT when the
  workstation is secure.
• OIT then adds the workstation back onto the
  campus network.

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OIT, ITD and E-mail

• OIT provides the e-mail systems and services
  campus-wide.
• ITD supports the Thunderbird e-mail client within
  the Libraries.
• Staff may check the ITD Help Desk
  (http//www.lib.umd.edu/help/) website for virus
  alerts and e-mail outages.
• Problems with e-mail? Contact the ITD Help Desk.
• ITD staff are familiar with the Thunderbird
  client configuration used in the Libraries.
• OIT staff are not familiar with the Thunderbird
  client configuration used in the Libraries.

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The University IT Environment Summary

• ITD and OIT work together
• OIT is responsible for the campus IT environment
• ITD is responsible for the Libraries IT
  environment
• Contact ITD with any and all problems
• Only contact OIT if referred by ITD staff

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HELP!!!!

• Any time Library staff have a question about
  software, or if they suspect something is not
  working properly, they may contact the Help Desk.
  Theyre faster than Do
• No question is too trivial.

x59188 OR helpdesk_at_itd.umd.edu
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Be a Responsible User!

• Becoming responsible computer users will help
  staff work more efficiently and achieve greater
  results.
• Each workstation is dependent upon regular, in
  some cases continuous, interactivity with the LAN
  servers for security, data, resources and
  services.
• Adherence to LAN policies and procedures is
  critical to the health and security of
  workstations, data, the LAN and the campus
  network.

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Review of Staff Procedures

• Always leave your workstation powered ON unless
  otherwise specified by ITD.
• Save all data files to your M or Z drive.
• RESTART your workstation at the end of the work
  day.
• Read carefully all messages when you log onto the
  LAN, as well as e-mails from ITD.
• Report unusual messages to the ITD Help Desk even
  if your workstation logs on successfully and
  functions.
• When in doubt, call the ITD Help Desk! x59188

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Selected Resources

• Desktop Services Committee (www.lib.umd.edu/groups
  /dsc/)
• ITD Helpdesk (www.lib.umd.edu/HELP/)
• OIT (www.oit.umd.edu/)
• Project Nethics (www.nethics.umd.edu/)
• Staff Learning and Development (www.lib.umd.edu/gr
  oups/learning/stafflearning.html)
• Viruses, Worms, and Trojans (service1.symantec.com
  /SUPPORT/nav.nsf/docid/1999041209131106)

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Credits

• This presentation was brought to you by the
  acronyms ITD, DSC, and SLD.
• Todays number is 59188
• Report Suspicious Activity to Helpdesk_at_itd.umd.edu