Internals

Security At-A-Glance

Table of Contents

  1. Why is security so important? What are the minimum security standards?
  2. Why does my password have to be this complicated?
  3. What can I do to remove malware on my own?
  4. Why does my Internet connection have to be shut off immediately for a security violation? I can scan my computer myself.
  5. What does it mean to have my Internet shut off for a "security vulnerability"?
  6. I usually connect to ResComp wirelessly, but it says something about a security violation. What's going on here?
  7. What's the difference between malware, spyware, adware, Trojans, viruses, and worms?
  8. How can I protect my laptop from theft (physical or identity)?

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why is security so important? What are the minimum security standards?

    We place such an emphasis on security to provide the best Internet experience to all residents on our network. When one computer has security problems, it can affect the usage of others on the same network. In addition, the University's network infrastructure is an enormous hub for a great deal of traffic in California, and therefore we must maintain the integrity of the devices connected.

    The minimum security standards include having an antivirus program, a firewall, the latest operating system updates, and passwords for all administrator accounts.

  2. Why does my password have to be this complicated?

    The password is complicated for your protection. By having a password that follows the strict rules for strong passwords, it becomes much more difficult for any someone with malicious intentions to access your account.

  3. What can I do to remove malware on my own?

    A countermeasure you can take against malware is to use trusted malware removal tools. Some examples include Ad-Aware, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, and Spybot-Search and Destroy. Make sure you are using a trusted tool, since there are many malicious programs that will only damage your computer further under the guise of being a legitimate malware removal tool.

  4. Why does my Internet have to be shut off immediately for a security violation? I can scan my computer myself.

    A computer is shut off immediately for a security violation for your protection and the protection of others. Many security vulnerabilities or malware will only create more problems on your computer as time passes if it is connected to the Internet. After an RCC has checked your computer and resolved any issues, your connection will be re-enabled. This helps to protect the personal data of all residents on the network.

  5. What does it mean to have my Internet shut off for a "security vulnerability"?

    The campus systems and network security team continuously scans for security vulnerabilities on the network, such as default passwords, unprotected network shares, and missing Windows or Mac OS X patches. The reason for these stringent security scans is the same as above: we want to protect you against a possible route of infection in order to prevent information/identity theft and to preserve the integrity of our network. After all, the easiest way into the UC Berkeley network is through an unsecured computer.

  6. I usually connect to ResComp wirelessly, but it says something about a security violation. What's going on here?

    In order to maintain the integrity of the campus network, we also disable Internet connections when we detect vulnerabilities in the ResComp wireless network. Don't panic - you can treat this just like a security violation on your wired in-room connection. Just schedule an appointment with an RCC or drop by an RCC's office hours in the Academic Services Center and we'll get your Internet re-enabled as soon as possible.

  7. What's the difference between malware, spyware, adware, Trojans, viruses, and worms?

    Malware is a general term, describing all malicious software that infiltrates your computer without your consent.

    Spyware intercepts (or 'spies on') your interactions with your computer. For example, it could keep track of what websites you have visited, redirect your browser to malicious sites, or take note of passwords that you type.

    Adware is usually more annoying than dangerous. It simply downloads and displays advertisements on your computer screen.

    A trojan is a type of malware that conceals itself as a legitimate application, tricking users into installing it. Some trojans even claim to be antivirus programs, so always be wary of what programs you download and install!

    Viruses act much like their biological counterpart, spreading from program to program. Some viruses even modify themselves as they transmit, making them harder to get rid of. However, they can only be transferred to a new computer when an infected file is copied over.

    Worms, on the other hand, can transmit themselves to new computers without any help. A worm sends out copies of itself through the network, which risks the security of your computer and data and also takes up a lot of bandwidth.

  8. How can I protect my laptop from theft (physical or identity)?

    To protect yourself from identity theft, make sure that you have a strong password that is difficult to guess. Be sure to never include any publicly available information in your password, such as your name, your birthday, or your address. Also, only install programs from sources that you trust and be wary of fake sites that ask for your personal information.

    To protect your computer from physical theft, you can use a computer lock (usually priced between $5 and $30). Attach the lock to a heavy, solid object (such as a desk) and connect the other end to your laptop. You can also buy laptop tracking software, which sends out a beacon through the Internet to help you find it in the event of a theft.