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Help
Computers
“Shared” By Multiple Users Or Utilized By Student Assistants:
In examining some
computers on campus recently that are shared amongst various users
or utilized primarily by student assistants, I have noticed some issues
that you may want to consider if you have workstations that fall into
this category in your department:
- File
Sharing Software/Copyright Files
You will want to check these workstations periodically for the presence
of file sharing programs such as KaZaa, Limewire, AudioGalaxy, Bearshare,
etc., and look at the directories on the workstation to see if they
contain MP3’s, videos, and/or “.avi” movie files. File sharing programs
can be located directly on the “C” drive or in the Program Files
directory and their associated file storage directories may be located
underneath the particular program directory (i.e, c:\KaZaa\downloads)
or the files may be located in C:\my documents, C:\my pictures,
temp directories, etc. Normally, these files violate
copyright laws and the programs themselves allow anonymous users
to access directories/files on the computer over the internet.
- Spyware
You will also want to look at the programs that are installed on
the workstation for evidence of spyware. Spyware programs are usually
activated when file sharing programs, freeware, shareware, or browser
plug-in programs are downloaded and installed on the computer. Spyware
programs keep track of sites that are visited on the internet, record
personal information when a user visits particular sites and then
report this information to “for profit” companies that have paid
agreements with the Spyware software vendors. Normally, the software
agreement that you have to accept during the install process of
the file sharing, freeware, shareware or browser plug-in programs
lets you know that these programs are also installed but sometimes
they are “hidden” and just automatically install. Choose
start, programs from the lower left taskbar and if you see strange
program names that you don’t recognize such as Gain, Gator, Offer
Companion, CommonName, do a search with any popular search engine
to determine if the program is spyware or causes pop-up windows
to appear on the computer.
- Chat
programs
Many people utilize popular instant messenger programs such as Yahoo
Chat, MSN messenger, AOL Instant Messenger or an Internet Relay
Channel client. However, when a computer is shared or utilized by
student assistants or temporary workers, these programs are often
left behind with the departing user’s automatic sign-in information.
When the computer is utilized, these programs will
then start up automatically with a user’s id and password credentials
and initiate conversation sessions and sometimes file transfers
with multiple people over the internet. This can lead to the computer
being compromised by rogue remote control programs.
Help:
If you have questions,
or need assistance, please contact the Help Center at help@gsu.edu or (404) 413-HELP (4357).
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